Montreal Alouettes sign veteran running back James Wilder Jr. to one-year deal

The Montreal Alouettes signed veteran American running back James Wilder Jr. to a one-year deal Thursday.

The six-foot-three, 232-pound Wilder spent the last three seasons with Toronto. He was the CFL’s top rookie in 2017 and helped the Argonauts win the Grey Cup that year.

Wilder appeared in 13 games with Toronto last season, rushing for 464 yards while adding 58 catches for 415 yards. He fills a need for Montreal, which released running back William Stanback in the off-season, allowing him to sign with the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders.

The Alouettes also announced the release of Antonio Pipkin, who began last season as the club’s starter before losing the No. 1 job to Vernon Adams Jr. On Tuesday, Adams signed a contract extension with Montreal through the 2022 season.

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Former CFL GM Reed returning to coaching

EDMONTON — The Edmonton Wildcats have hired former CFL coach/GM Kavis Reed as their offensive co-ordinator.

The Wildcats, a junior team playing in the Prairie Football Conference, made the announcement Thursday via its Twitter account.

Reed, 46, was fired as Montreal Alouettes general manager last July after being appointed to the post Dec. 14, 2016. The CFL club went 10-30 during Reed’s front-office tenure.

The native of Georgetown, S.C., has an extensive CFL coaching resume, most notably having served as head coach of the Edmonton Eskimos (2011-13) and Montreal (2017), compiling an overall 22-39 record. Reed was also a former defensive back with Edmonton (1995-99) and was a league all-star in 1997.

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Lions Sign offensive lineman Hunter Steward

VANCOUVER — The B.C. Lions have re-signed veteran Canadian offensive lineman Hunter Steward for two more seasons.

Steward was eligible to become a free agent on February 11th.

Originally drafted in the first round (sixth overall) of the 2013 CFL draft, the six-foot-six, 315-pound Steward has appeared in 75 games over six seasons with the Lions. The versatile Calgary native can play multiple positions on the offensive line.

“I’m very excited and proud to be staying with the only professional organization I’ve ever known,” Steward said in a statement.

Steward was nominated for the 2016 Jake Gaudaur Veterans’ Award, which is given annually to the player who best demonstrates the attributes of Canadian soldiers.

“Hunter will continue to be important for us in both the run and pass blocking game,” Lions general manager Ed Hervey said. “With our mission to be dominant on the line of scrimmage, he also possesses the size and physicality that we need up front.”

 This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 30, 2020.

The Canadian Press