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Eastern Washington University Football

Rough week for ex-Eastern Washington players in Canadian Football League

Former Eastern Washington quarterback Matt Nichols, now with Winnipeg of the Canadian Football League, has been sidelined at least a month with a knee injury. (Christopher Anderson / The Spokesman-Review)
By Ryan Collingwood ryanc@spokesman.com(509) 459-5473

It’s been a rough few days for Eastern Washington University products in the Canadian Football League.

Four former Eagles were cut, Winnipeg quarterback Matt Nichols was sidelined at least a month with a knee injury, and Hamilton quarterback Vernon Adams’ future with the organization appears uncertain.

Weeks after signing as a rookie free agent, Tacoma native Victor Gamboa was released by the Ottawa Redblacks. The All-Big Sky cornerback saw limited action in the preseason. Another former EWU defensive back, Tevin McDonald, was cut by the British Columbia Lions.

Shaq Hill, an All-American receiver at EWU in 2016, was cut by the Edmonton Eskimos after joining the team in January.

“Who needs an extra player for Hoopfest?” Hill posted on Twitter after being released. “I got nothing but time, cuz!”

Former EWU and Spokane Empire offensive lineman Cassidy Curtis was also cut by British Columbia after being released by the Edmonton Eskimos a year ago.

Nichols, the Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2009, suffered a noncontact knee injury at a recent practice. The Blue Bombers’ starting quarterback was put on the six-game injured list, head coach Mike O’Shea told media last week.

Adams, the electric EWU quarterback who transferred to Oregon in 2016, appeared to be on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ trading block last week.

With the recent addition of former Heisman Trophy-winning QB Johnny Manziel, along with the team’s returning starting quarterback, Jeremiah Masoli, head coach June Jones announced last week that Adams would be traded. Days later, the Tiger-Cats cut quarterback Bryant Moniz and Adams remains on the the roster.

“Tiger-Cat fans, I appreciate all the love and support!” Adams posted to Twitter on Monday morning. “Y’all are some real ones! I will continue to bring this energy and positivity to work everyday!”

Hamilton is Adams’ third CFL team since wrapping up his collegiate career in early 2017.

The rest of the CFL Eagles: Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell still leads the Calgary Stampeders’ offense, Edmonton mainstay linebacker J.C. Sherritt is working on returning from a 2017 Achilles injury, and T.J. Lee III is listed a second-team defensive back on the B.C. Lions’ latest depth chart.