Johany Jutras/CFL.ca
EDMONTON — The Eskimos made a series of roster moves upon the opening of training camp Sunday morning, confirming the release of running back John White and also parting ways with running back LaDarius Perkins.
Also let go was international defensive back Demetrius Wright.
On the same morning, the Esks announced the signing of national receiver and former Hamilton Tiger-Cat Giovanni Aprile, as well as the addition of two internationals in receiver Keevan Lucas and defensive back Jalen Spencer.
National fullback James Tuck, who suffered a season-ending Achilles injury, was added to the six-game injured list along with international defensive back Mercy Maston. International running back Korliss Marshall was added to the suspended list.
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The release of White was initially reported Saturday night on the eve of training camp. White, Perkins and Van represent a trio of experienced international running backs recently released by the Eskimos.
There’s little question who the starting running back is in the City of Champions, as Gable ran away with the job after being acquired by the Eskimos late last season. The former Ticats running back opted to sign an extension in the off-season, solidifying the Eskimos’ rushing attack going into the new campaign.
White, however, was thought to be a valuable insurance policy, despite coming off a season-ending knee injury suffered early in 2017. In his career, White has 2,110 yards and 12 touchdowns with a 5.6-yard average.
In 2016 he was one of the league’s most productive running backs, rushing for a career-high 886 yards and eight touchdowns in his return from a ruptured Achilles.
While White is just 26 and has plenty of time to bounce back, injuries have been a plague through the first five years of his career. He’s lost most of two seasons to separate injuries, limiting him to 41 career games.
