With opening day drawing closer, the Canadian Football League kicked off camps league wide on Sunday and several teams were busy making roster moves.
The Toronto Argonauts added two imports in Jarrett Payton (RB) and Todd Lowber (WR). Payton, son of NFL legend Walter Payton, was the leading rusher for the Alouettes in 2007. He is familiar with head coach Bart Andrus from his time in NFL Europa with the Amsterdam Admirals.
"I just tried to prove myself and show that I still have what I had in '07 and '08 and even play better if I have the right team and people around me," said Payton to the Canadian Press.
"Whether [Payton] ends up making the team, that's yet to be seen. That's more in his control than anybody's but he's in the best shape that I've ever seen him in, as are the other backs that reported here," Andrus told the Canadian Press.
Lowber has spent time with Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins and New York Giants. He also signed on briefly with the Argos in 2008.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers extended the contract of safety Ian Logan. No details were released. The team also signed import defensive back Ronyell Whitaker. The details of the agreement were not disclosed. Whitaker spent time with the Detroit Lions in 2008.
Offensive guard Sherko Haji-Rasouli was placed on the B.C. Lions' suspended list while he attends to a personal matter. The Lions are expected to add LT Vaughn Lesuma on Sunday. OL Martin Bibla was placed on the suspended list. While he had a shot to make the team, he left following the first practice of rookie camp on Friday. He may have decided not to continue playing. He played at the University of Miami and was a recommendation of Sherko Haji-Rasouli.
Head coach Wally Buono said he will move Justin Sorenson to the right side of the Offensive Line to work at both guard and tackle because he is more comfortable playing on that side. He started at RT at South Carolina for 3 years. It's notable because he is making starter's money and the Lions are looking for 2 new starters on the left side.
Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach Ken Miller reports RB Wes Cates is already doubtful for the season opener as his shoulder hasn not healed as well as they thought it would in the off-season. Hugh Charles and Justin Beaver are RB's in camp that could start in Week 1.
Below is a complete list of the Sunday changes: (I - Import, N - Non-Import)
Toronto Argonauts
Signed: RB Jarrett Payton (I), WR Todd Lowber (I)
Released: WR Phil Brock (I), OT Scott Evans (N), WR Derrick Hamilton (I), OG Brandon Joyce (I), WR Will Judson (I), LB John Keith (I), CB Reggie Lewis (I), LB Cory Peoples (I)
Suspended: DB Brad Crawford (N), DE Clifford Dukes (I)
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Signed: DB Ronyell Whitaker (I)
Contract Extension: S Ian Logan (N)
Montreal Alouettes
Signed: WR Glenn Mackay (N), WR Chad Rempel (N), WR David Kircus (I), LB Jay Staggs (I), CB De'Audre Dix (I)
Calgary Stampeders
Signed: WR Derrick Smith (I)
Released: LB Robert Killebrew (I)
Injured: LB Reggie Williams (I)
B.C. Lions
Signed: RB William Heyward (I)
Released: OL Lorne Plante (N)
Suspended: OL Martin Bibla (I), WR Anthony Russo (I), WR Jason Jones (I), DB Trestin George (I), OG Sherko Haji-Rasouli (N)