THE CANADIAN PRESS
CFL.ca Staff
REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced they have released import receiver Weston Dressler allowing him the opportunity to sign with a National Football League team, the team said in a release Thursday.
Dressler, 27, leaves Saskatchewan following six seasons in Green and White.
“Weston and his agent were very up front they were going to go through the process and we were made aware of a possible situation coming up in the next couple of days where Weston was more than likely going to get an opportunity,” Roughriders Assistang GM Jeremy O’Day told reporters.
“From our standpoint it’s tough to lose such a good player that’s been here for a long time, is a leader in the locker-room.”
The Bismarck, ND native has built a reputation of being one of the league’s most dependable and sure-handed receivers, hauling in an average of 81 passes over the last three seasons.
“For the team obviously it’s not great news,” O’Day said. “But it’s our job to find good players and hopefully we’ll be able to replace him.”
In 2013, Dressler registered 1,011 receiving yards and nine touchdowns during the regular season. The post-season saw him notch 16 catches for 240 yards and four touchdowns, en-route to leading the Roughriders to a victory in the 101st Grey Cup.
His best season as a Rider came in 2012 when he collected 94 receptions for 1,206 yards and a career best 13 touchdowns.
He was slated to become a free agent on Feb. 15.
With files from The Canadian Press
