Ex-Bombers star released by Colts

Linebacker Muamba might look to CFL

By: Gary Lawless Posted: 5:32 PM CDT Saturday, Sep. 5, 2015 Last Modified: 8:51 PM CDT Saturday, Sep. 5, 2015 | Updates

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REGINA — CFL fans were watching the transaction wires Saturday to see if former league stars were cut by NFL teams — and it was a busy day.

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REGINA — CFL fans were watching the transaction wires Saturday to see if former league stars were cut by NFL teams — and it was a busy day.

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REGINA — CFL fans were watching the transaction wires Saturday to see if former league stars were cut by NFL teams — and it was a busy day.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers fans immediately got their hopes up with the news former CFL all-star linebacker Henoc Muamba had been released by the Indianapolis Colts.

When a player is cut/released/waived in the NFL, all league teams have 24 hours to pick up that player’s contract.

Liam Richards / THE CANADIAN PRESS files
Former Blue Bombers linebacker Henoc Muamba was just released by the Indianapolis Colts. — Liam Richards / THE CANADIAN PRESS files Former Blue Bombers linebacker Henoc Muamba was just released by the Indianapolis Colts.

If the contract is not picked up, the player can then sign a new contract with any NFL or CFL team.

Any player cut Saturday will have his cellphone alert at full volume should his agent drum up some interest. Players can also be added to practice rosters.

Muamba’s agent, Johnathon Hardaway, could not be reached for comment, but several CFL sources said he had contacted multiple teams, saying if they were interested in Muamba’s CFL rights they should have an offer in by Tuesday.

Muamba saw action in 13 of the Colts’ 16 regular-season games last year. In three seasons in Winnipeg, Muamba had 171 tackles, 53 special-teams tackles, four sacks, one interception and one fumble recovery returned for a touchdown.

Bombers GM Kyle Walters was not effusive on the matter, but did say he would be contacting Hardaway.

Former Calgary Stampeders standout lineman Brett Jones, who suffered a season-ending injury during training camp, was placed on the injured reserve list by the New York Giants and will remain their property.

Other big CFL names to hit the transaction wire included former Saskatchewan Roughriders offensive lineman Ben Heenan and one-time Edmonton Eskimos OL Matt O’Donnell.

Heenan was also injured in the Colts camp and will be out the next four to six weeks. Prior to getting hurt he was having a strong camp and it would be no surprise to see him return to the Colts or sign with another NFL team once healthy.

O’Donnell was released by the Cincinnati Bengals, but if he doesn’t hook up with another NFL team he could be placed on the Bengals practice squad.

Former Montreal Alouettes first-round pick David Foucault, an offensive lineman, was released by the Carolina Panthers.

gary.lawless@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @garylawless