THE CANADIAN PRESS
CALGARY — Mike Labinjo’s days with the Calgary Stampeders are over.
The Calgary Stampeders released the veteran defensive lineman Wednesday. Last season head coach and GM John Hufnagel called Labinjo out publicly after what he felt was an inconsistent effort in a game against Hamilton.
But the Toronto native’s fate appeared to be sealed Sunday when Calgary took two defensive lineman in the CFL college draft and acquired another, Brian Bulcke, in a trade.
Calgary released Labinjo, 30, after trading him to Montreal in January but the deal was voided after Labinjo took a physical with the Alouettes.
The Stampeders drafted Labinjo in the third round, 25th overall, in 2003 but had to wait for him. After Labinjo graduated from Michigan State he signed with the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles in 2004.
He began the ’05 season with Philadelphia before being let go midway through the campaign. He then joined the Indianapolis Colts for two games before ending the year with the Miami Dolphins.
Miami released Labinjo following the 2006 season and he re-signed with Indianapolis in March 2007 before being released less than two months later.
Labinjo then signed with Calgary in 2007 and enjoyed a breakout ’08 season with 33 tackles and five sacks as he helped the Stampeders win a Grey Cup and was rewarded with a contract extension.
But Labinjo couldn’t reclaim his form as when he arrived at camp there was talk he wasn’t in good shape and he subsequently had injury problems that resulted in Labinjo finishing the year on the practice roster.
Last year, consistency was Labinjo’s biggest challenge before an arm injury ended his season after 13 regular-season appearances. Labinjo finished with 26 tackles and one sack his final two years in Calgary combined.
Overall, Labinjo appeared in 44 games with Calgary, registering 61 tackles, seven special-teams tackles and six sacks.
