In a move to re-establish roster depth at the linebacker position, the Tiger-Cats have signed Canadian linebacker Jared Beeksma. Beeksma returns to the Tiger-Cats after starting the 2022 season with Hamilton, but then being released. Beeksma had been picked up by the Saskatchewan Roughriders after leaving the Tiger-Cats earlier this season. The linebacker has played in one game for the Tiger-Cats this season already. Beeksma did not register any stats in that game.

Jared Beeksma is a 6’2″, 215-pound Canadian linebacker from Cambridge, Ontario. He was the Tiger-Cats 46th pick in the 2022 CFL draft. Beeksma came to the CFL after playing his USports career with the Guelph Gryphons. The Tiger-Cats acquisition of Beeksma could be a developmental move for the future, or due to Beeksma’s Canadian status, he could be used to give the Tiger-Cats roster flexibility with regards to the roster ratio.

It is not surprising that the Tiger-Cats are acquiring linebackers in the absence of Simoni Lawrence who has been on the injured list with a groin injury. The release of Beeksma and then the re-acquisition reminds us that a player’s opportunity in the CFL is not only based on their talent but it is also based on the timing and situation that the team finds itself having to manage.

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