The Montreal Alouettes fired defensive lineman Nick Usher on Sunday.
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The organization announced this on its Twitter account. The 28-year-old athlete is now free to agree to any other Canadian Football League (CFL) formation.
We released defensive player Nick Usher.
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We fired defensive end Nick Usher. #Alouettes— Montreal Alouettes (@MTLAlouettes) July 23, 2023
Usher joined the Sparrows in 2021 after playing two seasons for the Edmonton team. In January 2022, he signed a two-year contract with the metropolitan Quebec club. The American was one of Montreal’s highest-paid defensive players, expected to get his hands on around $155,000 this season.
However, he failed to establish himself as a force in Coordinator Noel Thorpe’s unit. In five games in 2023, Usher was limited to five tackles and one quarterback sack.
In his CFL career, he has 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 brought in defensive end Shawn Lemon to replace Usher.
The 34-year veteran started the year with the BC Lions but was released during training camp.
Lemon has worn the colors of the Edmonton Club (2012), Calgary Stampeders (2013–2014 and 2021–2022), Ottawa Redblacks (2015), Toronto Argonauts (2016–2019), and the Lions (2018–2019).
Last year he had 29 tackles and 13 quarterback sacks with the Stampeders and also forced five fumbles. His performances earned him a CFL All-Star selection and a nomination for the Western Division’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player.