MONTREAL - The Montreal Alouettes released quarterback Troy Smith on Thursday.

The former Heisman Trophy winner started the Als' first six games before being placed on the six-game injured list. Montreal sputtered to a 1-5 start before Smith was sidelined with knee, ankle and thumb injuries.

Smith completed 83 of 174 passes for 989 yards and four touchdowns this season. The six-foot 195-pound Columbus native also threw four interceptions.

Smith, a former standout at Ohio State University, also played three regular-season games for Montreal last year and the East Division semifinal. He won the Heisman Trophy as the top U.S. college football player in 2006.

The 6-8 Alouettes have struggled to find a steady replacement for Anthony Calvillo, who was a starter for over a decade before retiring last winter.

Jonathan Crompton has been under centre of late. He guided Montreal to a 40-9 win over Saskatchewan last week.