Stampeders.com Staff
CALGARY — Calgary Stampeders head coach and general manager John Hufnagel announced the signing of international running back Hugh Charles to the practice roster.
As per team policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Currently in his seventh CFL season, Charles has rushed 401 times for 2,170 yards and 15 touchdowns and added 82 receptions for 995 yards and five touchdowns over 55 games with Saskatchewan and Edmonton. He has also returned 78 kickoffs for 1,718 yards, a 22.0 average.
“Hugh is a CFL veteran who over the years has demonstrated great ability as a runner, a receiver out of the backfield and a kick returner,” said Hufnagel.
“With our current injury situation, Hugh provides some very valuable depth for us at the running back and kick-returner positions.”
Charles first joined the league as a free agent with Saskatchewan in 2008 where he played 21 games before being traded to Edmonton on Oct. 12, 2011. Charles became the Eskimos’ featured back in 2012 and 2013, amassing 1,292 rushing yards and 724 receiving yards over 31 regular-season games.
During his breakout year in 2012, the University of Colorado product registered his first 100-yard rushing game against BC, rushed for a career-high 152 yards against Saskatchewan and recorded two 100-yard receiving games, including a career-best 145 yards against Winnipeg.
Charles was released by Edmonton at the end of training camp this year and played one game with Saskatchewan.
