Ottawa Redblacks make multiple roster changes, release Demerio Houston

By Liam Tremblay — 10 August 2026 — 3 min read

The Ottawa Redblacks have announced several roster adjustments, including the release of veteran defensive back Demerio Houston. These changes come as the team seeks to improve its performance after a challenging 0-8 start to the CFL season.

Houston, who signed with Ottawa in February, had participated in every game for the Redblacks this year. During his time with the team this season, he recorded 23 defensive tackles and one special teams tackle. His career spans 58 games over six CFL seasons, having previously played with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2021-23, ’25) and the Calgary Stampeders (2024). In 2023, he was recognized as a West Division and league all-star with the Blue Bombers, where he led the league with seven interceptions in 15 games. He also contributed to Winnipeg‘s Grey Cup victory in 2021. Overall, Houston has registered 202 total tackles, including 198 defensive tackles, one quarterback sack, 11 interceptions, one forced fumble, and one defensive touchdown during his CFL career.

Additional Roster Moves

Alongside Houston, the Redblacks also released defensive back Amari Henderson. Henderson had accumulated 20 defensive tackles in six games this season. He is in his fifth CFL season, having played 52 games with the Saskatchewan Roughriders (2022-24) and the Redblacks (2025-26), tallying 148 tackles, three interceptions, and two forced fumbles.

In addition to these releases, Ottawa has brought in several new players. The team signed defensive back Kenzel Lawler, who is the brother of Hamilton Tiger-Cats receiver Kenny Lawler. Kenzel Lawler recently attended rookie minicamps with the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs. Before turning professional, he played two seasons at the University of Montana (2024-25), where he recorded 69 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, one fumble recovery, and 15 passes defended. He also played 16 games over two seasons at Utah, registering one total tackle and one pass defended.

The Redblacks also added receiver Grant DuBose. DuBose was a seventh-round pick, 256th overall, by the Green Bay Packers in the 2023 NFL Draft. He spent that season with the club, primarily on the practice roster, and was promoted to the active roster near the end of the season without dressing for any regular-season games. In 2024, he played three games for the Miami Dolphins, making two receptions for 11 yards. He also had a stint with the Buffalo Bills in 2025 and the Columbus Aviators in 2026, though he did not see regular-season action with either team. DuBose finished his collegiate career at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where he earned a second-team All-Conference USA selection in 2022, with 126 receptions for 1,684 yards and 15 touchdowns over 24 games.

New Canadian Talent

Further strengthening their roster, the Redblacks signed Canadian offensive lineman Jaxon Morkin and Canadian long-snapper Lucus Spencer. Morkin, a Windsor native, was originally selected by the Edmonton Elks in the fourth round, 30th overall, of the 2024 CFL Canadian Draft. He suited up in four games for the Elks last season after returning to school for his final year of eligibility in 2024 and spent training camp with the club earlier this year.

Spencer, who played collegiately at Bishop’s University, where he recorded 16 total tackles over 30 games across four seasons (2021-24), spent training camp with the Montreal Alouettes earlier this season. These roster adjustments were announced on Monday.

Source: sportsnet.ca