Running back Ryquell Armstead one of two Rider releases

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have decided to move on from running back Ryquell Armstead.

The CFL club announced the 28-year-old rusher was released on Friday. The Riders also announced defensive lineman Rondell Bothroyd would no longer be with the team.

Armstead joined the Riders on Sept. 16 after he was released from the Ottawa Redblacks. Armstead had rushed for 623 yards and three touchdowns and made 35 receptions for 284 yards over 11 games for the Redblacks prior to his release. He was the fourth-leading rusher in the CFL when Ottawa elected to move on from him.

Discipline issues reared their head during his 2024 CFL season. He was kicked out of a Week 8 game due to committing two objectionable conduct infractions. He has also been fined twice by the CFL for breaking the CFL code of conduct when it comes to verbal abuse.

In his first game with the club, the Millville, N.J., product rushed for 207 yards in the team’s 37-29 win over the Calgary Stampeders to end a seven-game losing streak for Saskatchewan.

It was the most rushing yards ever by a Rider in their Green and White debut, according to Saskatchewan Roughriders historian Rob Vanstone.

Armstead wound up getting injured in his next game, forcing him to miss the rest of the regular season. He was put onto the roster for the playoffs but was used sparingly with AJ Ouellette getting almost all of the running back work in the playoffs. Armstead only rushed the ball five times for 24 yards in the team’s 28-19 win over the B.C. Lions in the CFL West Semifinal. In the West Final, Armstead only had two carries for five yards.

Prior to coming to the CFL, Armstead spent some time with the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars.

Along with Ouellette, the Riders have a number of other running backs on the roster with the release of Armstead. Ouellette had 558 yards and three touchdowns in eight games last season as he dealt with a hip injury.

Behind him on the depth chart are running back Thomas Bertrand-Hudon, Khalan Laborn, and Trent Penix.

Bothroyd signed with the Riders in January. He was signed with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent following the 2024 NFL draft. He attended training camp with the Bills, earning a sack in preseason play.

Saskatchewan could add even more depth to its roster come Tuesday’s CFL Draft. The draft start time has been changed to 4 p.m. Saskatchewan time.

Riders training camp once again takes place in Saskatoon and will start with rookies reporting on May 7 and full camp opens on May 11.