By Canadian Press

Redblacks sign former Ticats star Jalen Saunders to one-year contract

Apr 21, 2020 | 9:21 AM

OTTAWA — The Ottawa Redblacks have signed free agent receiver Jalen Saunders to a one-year contract.

The 27-year-old from Stockton, Calif., played the 2017 and 2018 seasons with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

He had 1,170 yards and four touchdowns for the Ticats in 2017, and 739 yards and two touchdowns in 2018 before suffering a knee injury nine games into the season.

Hamilton cut Saunders before the 2019 season. He was selected by the Houston Roughnecks in the 2020 XFL draft and placed on injured reserve before the start of the season. The XFL cancelled the remained of its inaugural season and filed for bankruptcy last week,

Saunders was drafted by the New York Jets in the fourth round in 2014 and dressed  for nine games with the Jets and New Orleans Saints that season. He also spent time on NFL rosters with Arizona, Seattle, New England and Chicago.

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KICKER SERGIO CASTILLO RETURNS TO LIONS

VANCOUVER— The B.C. Lions have signed free-agent kicker Sergio Castillo to a two-year contract.

The 29-year-old Castillo connected on 41-of-45 field goal attempts and hit 30-of-33 convert attempts in 2019 while earning a West Division all-star selection and the team nomination for most outstanding special teams player.

He also had 14 punts for 73 yards before Josh Bartel took over those duties in week five of the season.

Prior to signing with the Lions in 2019 training camp, Castillo suited up in 20 games over three seasons (2015-17) split between Winnipeg, Ottawa and Hamilton and made 39-of-47 field goal attempts while only missing two of his 27 attempts on converts.

The native of La Joya, Texas began 2020 with the XFL’s Houston Roughnecks where he suited up for all five games and made five field goals, helping the squad to an undefeated record before play was suspended.

“I’m just blessed to have an opportunity to kick for the B.C. Lions,” Castillo said in a statement.

“For the first time in my career, I’m going to be able to go back to a team for the second season in a row. That’s something I’ve always wanted: stability with not only a team, but in the community.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 21, 2020.

The Canadian Press