American wide receiver Justin Hardy is returning to the Ottawa Redblacks for the 2024 season, the club said in a release on Monday.
“I’m excited to be back, and to get back to work,” said Hardy. “Rent’s due.“
On the same day, the club announced they’ve released wider receiver Nate Behar.
“We would like to thank Nate for his contributions to our team and to our community,” said Shawn Burke, Redblacks general manager.
Hardy was in every game during his second season with the team, hauling in 85 passes for 1,009 yards, and three touchdowns. In his seven-game 2022 season, he racked up 416 yards on 44 receptions. Hardy also earned an East Division All-Star nod.
The Washington, D.C. native joined the Redblacks in 2022, after five seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. From 2015 to 2019 he played 73 career games in the NFL and totalled 946 yards on 95 receptions, with nine touchdowns.
The five-foot-ten wide receiver briefly signed with the Chicago Bears in 2021. He was cut three weeks later so the team could to get down to the NFL’s required 85-mark.
The Ottawa Redblacks are set to host the defending West Division champions, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, on June 13, during week two of the 2024 CFL season.