Johany Jutras/CFL.ca
REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced a handful of roster moves on Wednesday, including the release of international defensive back Fred Bennett and national defensive lineman Levi Steinhauer.
The team also announced it has extended the contract of national defensive lineman Ivan Brown and signed international defensive lineman Derrick Lott.
Bennett, a five-year CFL veteran, was acquired by the Riders from Calgary last season after losing his starting job in the Stamps’ secondary. He started nine games at the corner position in Saskatchewan, slotting in alongside halfback Justin Cox in the Rider backfield.
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Fred Bennett started nine games for the Riders after joining them in 2016 (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
Since originally signing with the Stamps in 2012, Bennett has registered 188 defensive tackles, 11 interceptions and seven forced fumbles over 82 games.
Steinhauer, 26, completed his fourth season with the Riders in 2016, playing in three games at the fullback position. The Moose Jaw, Sask. native and graduate of Saskatchewan joined the Riders in 2013 after going 40th overall (fifth round) in the 2013 CFL Draft.
Brown, a 6-foot-2, 240-pound defensive lineman, remains with the Riders after originally signing with the team in August of 2016. Last season, the Regina native picked up six special teams tackles, four defensive tackles and a quarterback sack in 13 regular season games.
With previous stops in Montreal, Hamilton, Toronto and Winnipeg, Brown has totaled 30 defensive tackles and 28 special teams tackles in 70 regular season games through seven CFL seasons.
He was eligible to become a free agent on Feb. 14.
Lott, a 6-foot-4, 295-pound interior defensive lineman, has signed with the Green and White after attending 2016 training camp with the Oakland Raiders, playing three pre-season games.
Before going pro, the 26-year-old Georgia native played three seasons at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where he was named 2014 First Team All-SoCon and played in the 2013 East-West Shrine Game.
Lott also spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2016 off-season and attended training camp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2015.
