A Saskatchewan Roughrider reportedly played the entirety of the 2016 CFL season while out on bail on a cocaine trafficking charge.
Jordan Reaves, a defensive lineman with the Riders, faces a charge in Winnipeg stemming from a traffic stop in November 2015.
He is set to stand trial November 20-24 in Winnipeg.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders said in a statement that they were not aware of Reaves’ outstanding charges until Thursday – that was when Winnipeg Free Press reporter Mike McIntyre approached them to comment on the charges.
A statement released Friday morning by the club said they were “disappointed to learn of the legal situation” surrounding Reaves, but the Winnipeg-native has been open and cooperative with the team’s inquiries.
The statement said Reaves maintains his innocence and the Riders will not comment further as the matter is before the courts.
According to Manitoba court documents, Reaves had previously pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges in 2008. He was given a conditional sentence of two-years-less-a-day, a year of probation and a 10-year weapons ban.
Reaves originally signed with the Blue Bombers in April 2015. He joined the Riders in January 2016, appearing in five regular season games and recording two tackles on special teams.