The Ottawa Redblacks who are coming out of their bye week have released two players. Running back Amlicar Polk, and defensive back Sherrod Baltimore. What led to their release and who is expected to step into their roles? 

On Field Contributions 

While Polk had not registered a carry this season he was valuable depth behind Ryquell Armstead this season. Baltimore had played in 5 games and registered 8 tackles. Both of these players have more or less been displaced due to other players being cleared to play at this point in the season. 

Polk isn’t being released due to any added depth at running back, although the Redblacks did recently sign Levante Bellamy. Bellamy had been on the practice roster as he learned the offense. Ottawa must be comfortable with his grasp on the offense after just a couple of weeks and he could be active as early as next week’s game. Due to the way Ottawa has attacked the run game this season, versatile wide receivers Bralon Addison, Devonte Dedmon, and even Justin Hardy have seen snaps out of the backfield. 

Devonte Dedmon was limited in practice all last week and ended up a scratch likely due to the short turnaround. His return to the lineup made Polk a casualty. Dedmon has not only lined up in the backfield but is one of the Redblack’s most valuable special teams contributors, an area that Polk had been seeing most of his snaps as well. With Dedmon one of the most dangerous return men in the league, this decision was likely made all too easy for Bob Dyce. 

I have to wonder how much last week’s performance affected their decision making at running back. Ryquell Armstead was ejected leaving the Redblacks with zero active running backs. This forced them to turn to Addison, given that Dedmon was hurt. Addison led the team with 5 carries for 28 yards, while Hardy contributed 2 carries and 28 yards. Armstead had 4 carries for 22 yards before exiting.

It would not surprise me to see Polk latch on with another team in the league or return to the Redblacks practice roster later this season. The rookie back is coming off a career year for the Gee-Gees in 2023 and hasn’t gotten the opportunity to prove what he can do in the CFL regular season as of yet. His only touches in 2024 so far came in week two of the preseason against Montreal when he ran 5 times for 17 yards. 

Secondary Set to Return Important Pieces 

Lost in the success of Ottawa’s season has been the fact that Brandin Dandridge has not played a single snap so far in 2024. The top defensive back for the Redblacks has been recovering from an injury and returned to practice last week in a limited fashion. He was not the only player to return. 

Alijah McGhee, Justin Howell, and Money Hunter were limited in practice last week as well, and the bye week helped Ottawa’s confidence in these players returning to the field for Thursday’s clash with Saskatchewan. The Roughriders lost a heartbreaker to the Edmonton Elks, a team Ottawa just beat twice in a row, although that was before the change at quarterback to one of the most dynamic players at any position, Tre Ford. 

The Redblacks have their work cut out for them this week against Saskatchewan who has an underrated passing attack with Shea Patterson at the helm. Throwing to players like Samuel Emilus, Shawn Bane Jr., Kian Schaffer-Baker, Jerreth Sterns, and an emerging rookie in Ajou Ajou. These five players have accounted for 1,767 yards in just 8 games despite a change at quarterback early on due to injury. Being back at full strength will be a tremendous help in this tough match-up. 

It remains to be seen if all four of these defensive backs can go in week 10 but we will find out very soon. 

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