The Montreal Alouettes released defensive lineman Nick Usher on Sunday.
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The organization made the announcement on its Twitter account. The 28-year-old athlete is now free to agree with any other formation of the Canadian Football League (CFL).
Usher joined the Sparrows in 2021, after playing two seasons with the Edmonton team. In January 2022, he signed a two-year contract with the club from the Quebec metropolis. The American was one of the highest paid defensive players in Montreal, he who was expected to get his hands on around $155,000 this season.
He was, however, unable to establish himself as a force in Coordinator Noel Thorpe’s unit. In five games in 2023, Usher has been limited to five tackles and a quarterback sack.
In his CFL career, he has amassed 111 tackles and 15 quarterback sacks in 58 games.
Shawn Lemon would show up
Pierre-Paul Poulin / JdeM
According to the 3DownNation website, the Alouettes have hired defensive end Shawn Lemon to replace Usher.
The 34-year-old veteran started the year with the BC Lions but was released during training camp.
Lemon has worn the colors of the Edmonton club (2012), the Calgary Stampeders (2013-2014 and 2021-2022), the Ottawa Redblacks (2015), the Toronto Argonauts (2016-2019), as well as the Lions (2018-2019).
Last year with the Stampeders, he had 29 tackles and 13 quarterback sacks, in addition to forcing five fumbles. His performances earned him a CFL All-Star selection and a Western Division Most Outstanding Defensive Player nomination.