Riders acquire McElveen from TiCats for Leong

New Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive lineman Jermaine McElveen. (CP/Geoff Robins)

HAMILTON, Ont. — The Hamilton Tiger-Cats acquired import receiver Lyle Leong Jr. from the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Thursday in exchange for import defensive lineman Jermaine McElveen.

McElveen, a six-foot-four 265-pound native of North Chicago, Ill., is entering his sixth CFL season. He had 31 defensive tackles and a team-leading six sacks in 15 games with the Ticats last year.

McElveen spent his first four seasons with the Montreal Alouettes, winning the Grey Cup in 2009 and 2010. In 68 career CFL regular-season games, he has 109 defensive tackles and 24 sacks.

Leong, a six-foot-one, 185-pound native of Abilene, Tex., signed with the Roughriders in January after spending time with the Dallas Cowboys in 2011.

The Ticats also announced that import receiver Aaron Kelly has been released. He caught 38 passes for 490 yards over his two seasons in Hamilton.

Also Thursday, the Roughriders released import defensive back Tristan Jackson and import defensive lineman Jay Alford.

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