Bombers sign former CFL All-Star receiver Roosevelt

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are adding a veteran to their receiving corps.

Longtime Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver Naaman Roosevelt has signed with the Blue and Gold.

In five seasons with the Riders (2015-19), Roosevelt played in 67 games and caught 301 passes for 4,134 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea says the move has been in the works for a while.

“We have guys that are injured and we’re getting to the point where it’s hard to practice with the number of bodies we have,” O’Shea said.

“So you bring in a veteran presence, a guy who understands CFL defences, CFL offences. Sure the terminology may be different, but the route concepts, those nuances, will be familiar to him.”

Roosevelt topped the 1,000-yard mark in 2016 and 2017, and was just shy of that, with 946 yards, in 2019.

He was named the Riders’ most outstanding player in 2016 and was a West Division All-Star in 2017.

The 33-year-old from Buffalo spent training camp with the Montreal Alouettes before being released.

Roosevelt has been placed on the suspended list while he completes travel requirements.

READ MORE: Last-minute FG gives Bombers win over Stamps

In another move, the Bombers added American kicker Ali Mourtada to the roster Monday.

Rookie kicker Marc Liegghio went four-for-four on field goals Sunday, including booting the game-winner with under a minute left. But with the team’s other kicker Tyler Crapigna injured, the coach wants to make sure they’ve got a backup in place.

“With Tyler getting injured, this is a necessity to bring a guy up just to make sure we can get through,” O’Shea said.

“We’re asking Marc to do all three (kickoffs, punting, field goals), and that’s putting a lot on a young kicker. He performed admirably (Sunday), but you better have some insurance also.”