Running Back Wes Cates will not be offered a contract by the Saskatchewan Roughriders for next season. 

He was due to be a free agent on February 15 and General Manager Taman announced that Cates will not be at training camp in 2012.

"If it was based on personalities we would not be talking about this but we felt that it was time for a change," Taman said adding that his age, salary and production all played a part in the decision. "I'm not here to say that Wes is not a good player anymore but we have decided to make a change there."

The team also announced the signings of three import running backs on Friday (Kory Sheets, Louis Rankin, Demetrius Crawford) making Cates expendable.

This ends one of the best careers for a running back in Saskatchewan. Cates is second in most statistical categories when it comes to running, behind the legend George Reed.

The 32-year-old was drafted by the Calgary Stampeders in 2006 and joined the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2007. Cates had two 1,000 yard seasons with Saskatchewan, but was limited to just 680 yards on the ground last season.

The Riders have also released receiver James Robinson and offensive lineman Marc Parenteau.

Read some of the reaction of fans on twitter.

Edited by News Talk Radio's Sabeen Ahmad and Adriana Christianson with files from Wray Morrison