Patriots, Other NFL Clubs Scan CFL Rosters For Reinforcements

Long football seasons require deep rosters. Teams in the NFL, which added an extra regular-season game a year ago, continue to pick through CFL rosters for reinforcements. 

Many CFL players continue to receive second and third workouts in the NFL, including five more on Friday.

3DownNation reported Friday that the New England Patriots worked out five CFL players. Here is the list of players who worked out for the team.

• Carthell Flowers-Lloyd, LB Hamilton Tiger-Cats
• Samuel Emilus, WR Saskatchewan Roughriders
• Gary Johnson Jr., LB Ottawa Redblacks
• Tyreik McAllister, Returner Hamilton Tiger-Cats
• Josh Woods, LB BC Lions

Flowers-Lloyd recorded 31 special teams tackles in 18 games in his first season with the Tiger-Cats in 2023. He worked out for the Jacksonville Jaguars earlier in the month.

Emilus exploded onto the scene in 2023 with 70 receptions for 1,097 yards and six touchdowns. He was a first-round pick for the Riders in the 2022 CFL draft. He previously worked out for the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos.

Johnson had eight special teams tackles and a forced fumble in 11 games with the Redblacks in 2023. His 22-game CFL career includes a three-year stop with the Riders. He previously worked out for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

McAllister had 416 total offensive yards and two scores and added kickoff and punt returns to his resume, averaging 25.3 yards per kick return and 10.8 yards per punt return. He also returned seven missed field goals, including one for a touchdown. The Las Vegas Raiders and Cardinals worked him out.

Woods completed his third year with the Lions as he has racked up 90 total tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, and a touchdown in 37 games. He previously worked out with the Broncos.

CFL players are currently allowed to work out with NFL teams as part of the CFL’s annual workout window. They have until February 13, 2024, to complete the workouts and sign with NFL teams. The players cannot sign with NFL teams until January 8, 2024.