Veteran running back Ka'Deem Carey among Toronto Argonauts final cuts

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He was a big part of the Toronto Argonauts’ Grey Cup championship last season. but Ka’Deem Carey won’t help them defend it.

The veteran running back was among Toronto’s final cuts released Sunday. CFL teams had to make their final roster moves by 10 p.m. ET on Saturday night.

The 2025 season opens Thursday night with the Ottawa Redblacks visiting the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Toronto begins its campaign Friday night on the road versus the Montreal Alouettes.

Carey, 32, ran for team-high 1,060 yards (5.5-yard average) with seven touchdowns last season, his first with Toronto. The 5-foot-9, 215-pound Carey, who earned a ’18 Grey Cup ring with Calgary, added 37 catches for 356 yards and a TD while appearing in all 18 regular-season games.

Carey also appeared in all three of Toronto’s playoff games, rushing for 79 yards and a TD on 15 carries in the club’s 41-24 Grey Cup win over Winnipeg. He re-signed with the club in the off-season.

“It’s a tough day,” Toronto head coach Ryan Dinwiddie said of final cut-down. “I wish I could keep them all … it’s just unfortunate we’ve got to make some tough decisions, that’s professional football.

“You’ve got to go with what you think is best for your football club.”

American Deonta McMahon, entering his third season with Toronto, is expected to take Carey’s spot in Toronto’s backfield.

Also among the 18 players released by Toronto were quarterback Cameron Dukes and veteran defensive back Ciante Evans, both Americans.

Dukes made nine starts last season for Toronto, posting a 4-5 record, as incumbent Chad Kelly missed the club’s first nine regular-season games due to suspension. The six-foot, 200-pound Dukes completed 143-of-199 passes (71.9 per cent) for 1,444 yards with seven touchdowns, and six interceptions while adding 321 yards rushing and four touchdowns.

Evans, 32, signed with Toronto in the off-season after registering 31 tackles and two interceptions in 13 regular-season games last season with the B.C. Lions.

Toronto placed running back Jyran Mitchell, receiver Calvin Turner Jr. and Dorian Anderson, offensive linemen Anim Dankwah and Hampton Ergle, defensive linemen Greg Reaves, Da’Marcus Johnson and Brevin Allen, linebacker Stephen Smith, defensive back Delonte Hood and kicker Alfredo Gachuz-Lozada on the practice roster.

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats released 24 players, including Canadian receivers Luther Hakunavanhu and Bruno Labelle. Hakunavanhu, who began his CFL career with Calgary (2021-23), had nine catches for 171 yards and four TDs in eight games last season.

Labelle was entering his first season with Hamilton after appearing in 29 games over the two previous campaigns with Saskatchewan.

Running back Treshaun Ward, receivers Keaton Bruggeling and Josh Johnson, offensive linemen Jakub Szott and Brayden Swartout, defensive linemen Kyle Samson, Ty Anderson and Philip Ossai, linebacker Kyler Fisher and defensive back Zamari Walton were placed on the practice squad.