Shawn Lemon is finally back on a CFL roster after signing with Montreal. The Alouettes have released Nick Usher on Sunday who has started every game at the defensive end for the Alouettes so far this season.
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Shawn Lemon
It seemed like it would only be a short matter of time before Shawn Lemon would be signed by a CFL team following his release by BC back in late May. He is finally back on a team after what felt like a long team for Lemon who was just an all-star last year during which he had 102 tackles and 13 sacks over his 17 regular season games.
Shawn Lemon is currently 13th in sacks all-time in CFL history with 92 sacks. He also has 221 tackles, 29 forced fumbles, and an interception in his 135 regular season games.
Shawn Lemon has been a member of several professional football teams. Lemon was first in the CFL on Winnipeg’s practice roster in 2011 before he was released in July. He played in 1 game for Saskatchewan before being released by the Riders.
He played in the Arena Football League in 2012 for the San Jose SaberCats before they traded him to the Orlando Predators. He was then signed by the Indoor Football League’s Sioux Falls Storm.
Lemon spent 2012 on Edmonton’s practice roster before being released in 2013.
He did not stick as a starter before joining Calgary in 2013. In 2013 he played in 6 games and contributed 3 sacks. In 2014 his perseverance was finally rewarded as he started all 18 games contributing 13 sacks and set a league record of 8 forced fumbles that season. He won a Grey Cup that year with Calgary before they released him to pursue NFL opportunities but he was back in the CFL with Ottawa after brief stints with the Pittsburgh Steelers and San Fran Cisco 49ers in 2015.
He played for Ottawa in 2015, Saskatchewan in 2016, and Toronto from 2016 to 2018 where he won a Grey Cup in 2017. Lemon was traded to BC in 2018 but then resigned again with Toronto in 2019. He was signed by Edmonton in 2021 but released before the season before he played 2021 and 2022 with the Calgary Stampeders.
The only CFL team Shawn Lemon has never been a part of is the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Nick Usher
Montreal has released Nick Usher to free up the spot on their roster. In Nick Usher’s 5 starts this season, he may not have blown up the stats sheet as he has contributed 5 tackles and 1 sack but he has played well and passed the eye test. He has been an important part of Montreal’s defense that is currently tied for third in lowest points allowed per game with Toronto at 22.5.
Nick Usher started the first 13 games last season before being on the injured list for the final 5 games of the regular season. He played as a 2nd stringer in both of the playoff games. Over his 49 CFL games, he has started 36 games and has registered 178 tackles and 11 sacks. He joined Montreal in 2021 after playing for Edmonton in 2018 and 2019.
Bringing in Shawn Lemon upgrades pretty much any team’s defensive line. Nick Usher is a very good player who is capable of a resurgence in his career for another team if given the opportunity.
