LaFrance, Banks among Riders’ cuts; all three backup QBs still on roster

Tailback Kienan LaFrance and defensive end Stefen Banks were among the notable cuts announced Sunday by the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

What also was notable was the Roughriders didn’t announce a transaction involving one of their three backup quarterbacks. Mason Fine, Jake Dolegala and Shea Patterson all remain on Saskatchewan’s roster behind starter Trevor Harris.

LaFrance, a 32-year-old product of Winnipeg, is a seven-year CFL veteran. Last season with the Roughriders, he had nine carries for 39 yards, five catches for 28 yards and four special-teams tackles in 11 games.

He also had CFL stints with the Ottawa Redblacks and Winnipeg Blue Bombers during his career. So far in the CFL, LaFrance has recorded 165 carries for 681 yards and four touchdowns, 49 receptions for 361 yards and two touchdowns, and 40 special-teams tackles.

Banks, 26, signed with the Roughriders this off-season after spending the previous two seasons with the Calgary Stampeders. He had 36 defensive tackles, eight sacks and three special-teams stops in his 23 career games with Calgary.

The Roughriders also released offensive linemen Diego Alatorre Montoya, Adonis Boone, Phil Saleh and Tre’Mond Shorts, receivers Keith Corbin III, Isaiah McKoy and Randy Satterfield, running backs B.J. Emmons, Javian Hawkins and Rodney Smith, linebackers Kyrei Fisher-Morris, Kolby Harvell-Peel and Ryan Henry, defensive linemen Jerry Garner Jr. and Keshaun Moore, defensive backs Devin Jones, Leon O’Neal Jr., Kosi Onyeka and La’Andre Thomas, and kicker David Solie.

Saskatchewan added 11 players to its practice roster: Defensive linemen Christian Albright and Cody Roscoe, linebackers T.J. Brunson, Matt Dean and Lukas Ruoss, defensive backs Rodney Clemons and Deontai Williams, offensive linemen Brandon Council and Zack Fry, and receivers Kalija Lipscomb and Kendall Watson.

Offensive lineman Evan Floren, fullback Morgan Runge and linebacker Nick Thomas were suspended, as they’re returning to their respective U Sports schools for another season of university football.

The Roughriders also announced the signing of American offensive lineman Colin Kelly, a 33-year-old who has played 90 career CFL games with the Ottawa Redblacks, Edmonton Elks and Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

The 6-foot-5, 298-pounder was named an XFL all-star with the Seattle Sea Dragons last season before attending minicamp with the NFL’s New Orleans Saints.

The Roughriders are to return to the practice field Wednesday in preparation for their regular-season opener June 11 against Edmonton.