Redblacks re-sign all-star defensive back Pickett

The Ottawa Redblacks have re-signed defensive back Adarius Pickett to a one-year contract extension, the team announced on Friday.

Pickett, a two-time East Division all-star and 2023 CFL all-star, recorded 52 tackles, one sack and an interception in 13 games last season before suffering a season-ending Achilles injury.

The 28-year-old also contributed 14 special teams tackles.

Pickett previously played for the Toronto Argonauts and Montreal Alouettes before joining Ottawa in 2024.

The native of Berkeley, Calif., played college football at UCLA and spent time with the Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Chargers, and New England Patriots before making his way to Canada in 2021.

Through 61 career CFL games, Pickett has tallied 305 total tackles, 12 sacks, three interceptions and five forced fumbles.

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Riders extend Canadian defensive back Lokombo

REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed Canadian defensive back Nelson Lokombo to a contract extension.

Lokombo played in all 18 regular-season games in 2024, starting Week 1 at halfback before transitioning to safety for the remainder of the season.

The 25-year-old from Abbotsford, B.C., set a career-high with 44 defensive tackles, while also tallying one tackle for loss, five pass knockdowns, one forced fumble and his first career sack.

Lokombo was selected by the Roughriders in the first round, second overall, at the 2021 CFL draft.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 24, 2025.