Roughriders release Paul Woldu, Hugh O'Neill in roster trim
The Riders sent 26 players home to get to their required 46-man roster ahead of the season opener
Regina-native and three-time Grey Cup champion Paul Woldu is one of the casualties of the Riders' weekend cuts.
All CFL teams were required to pare down their rosters to 46 players following the end of the preseason. In total, 26 players were released by the Roughriders Saturday night.
Woldu played CIS football at the University of Saskatchewan before being drafted by the Montreal Alouettes in 2008. He won Grey Cup rings with the Als in 2009 and 2010.
Woldu was picked up by the Roughriders in 2012, winning the championship with the green and white in 2013. The defensive back notched 21 special teams tackles that same year. Last season, he accounted for 11.
On Sunday, General Manager Brendan Taman described Woldu as a player who "bled green", making the cut more difficult.
"That's never an easy thing and he's such a quality guy. Hopefully his career will continue somewhere."
Taman added that Woldu's level of play was good but that "the staff had determined that that [special teams] role wasn't going to make our team this year."
Thank U to the Rider organization, the amazing fans and my incredible brothers/teammates that I was so blessed to go to battle with!
—@paulwolduThe Roughriders also cut Canadian kicker Hugh O'Neill. O'Neill was entering his fifth year in the CFL. He played three years with the Lions before signing with the Edmonton Eskimos. He was released by Edmonton in January of this year.
You can see a full list of the Roughriders' cuts here.
The team also announced defensive backs Antareis Bryan and Mark LeGree, wide receiver Scott McHenry and defensive lineman Cameron Sheffield will start the season on the six-game injured list.