Defensive back Bucknor among Bomber cuts

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This article was published 18/06/2016 (3455 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers made their final cuts Saturday, with Matt Bucknor, Jace Daniels and Justin Veltung among the notables given their walking papers.

Bucknor played in 18 games last season for the Blue and Gold, recording 40 tackles and three interceptions. In two years with the Bombers, the defensive back amassed 101 tackles in 36 appearances.

Bucknor took to Twitter Saturday afternoon to share his thoughts on his release.

“Today’s decision surprised me because I had a solid camp but I know another opportunity might come my way,” he said, adding the hashtag #ToughBusiness.

Daniels joined the Bombers in 2014 and started six games during the 2015 season before incurring a leg injury in August that ruled him out the rest of the season. The Bombers signed the offensive lineman to a two-year contract extension in December.

Daniels’ release means Jermarcus Hardrick, who spent time in B.C. and Saskatchewan in years past, has won a starting job on the offensive line.

Veltung became a jack-of-all-trades for the Bombers last season, spelling off in the return game and at receiver, where he caught two touchdown passes on 17 receptions. Veltung was in a battle with Quincy McDuffie throughout camp to be the team’s primary return man. It appears McDuffie, who is as sure-handed as they come, has won that job.

The Bombers also announced nine members of their 10-man practice roster Saturday.

The list includes Tim Flanders, who was in a battle at tailback with Carlos Anderson. General manager Kyle Walters wanted a young, American running back to stand out in camp and the 24-year-old Flanders did just that, recording 109 yards on 21 carries, including a touchdown in a 36-13 win over the Montreal Alouettes in Winnipeg’s first pre-season game.

Adrian Hubbard, a defensive end who won two NCAA national championships with powerhouse Alabama, was among those added to the practice roster.

The following players were released from the roster:

• Import defensive lineman Emmanuel Dieke

• Import running back Carlos Anderson

• Import offensive lineman Jace Daniels

• Import receiver Julian Talley

• Import receiver Fred Williams

• Import receiver Justin Veltung

• Import defensive back Jonte Green

• Non-import OL Zachary Intzandt

• Non-import defensive back Matt Bucknor

The following players have been placed on the practice roster:

• Import offensive lineman Manase Foketi

• Import receiver Thomas Mayo

• Import DL Padric Scott

• Non-import DE Louie Richardson

• Non-import FB Tim Cronk

• Import defensive back C.J. Roberts

• Import DE Adrian Hubbard

• Import REC Gerrard Sheppard

• Import RB Tim Flanders

The club also announced several number changes for players:

• Offensive lineman Jermarcus Hardrick — 51

• Defensive back C.J. Roberts — 17

• Defensive lineman Sam Scott — 92

• Defensive back Derek Jones — 0

• Wide receiver Thomas Mayo — 19

• Linebacker Shayne Gauthier — 44

• Offensive lineman Michael Couture — 59

• Linebacker Jesse Briggs — 34

• Linebacker Khalil Bass — 2

The Bombers will announce their one- and six-game injured lists Thursday morning, along with the 46-man active roster for Friday’s home opener against the Montreal Alouettes

scott.billeck@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @ScottBilleck