Contrary to reports, receiver Jordan Williams-Lambert will not be rejoining the Riders.
On Wednesday the transactions page on CFL.ca listed Williams-Lambert’s name and said he was added to the Riders active roster. News sites, blogs and Riders fans exploded with the big news. But it is not to be.
“That was just one of those things where when he cleared waivers in the NFL, his rights revert back to us. It’s as much of a housekeeping thing as anything.”
“We’ve talked to him and we certainly would love to have him back. But there’s nothing going on.”
Because Williams-Lambert was under contract to the Riders for 2019 and the club allowed him to explore his options in the NFL, the Riders maintain his rights in the CFL. It’s unlike if, say, former Eskimos receiver Duke Williams were to return. In January, the Eskimos let him out of his expiring contract a month early. If Williams were to return, he would be a free agent.
Dickenson says VP and GM Jeremy O’Day reached out to Williams-Lambert after the Chicago Bears released him. But nothing resulted from that call.
“He’s got to want to come back,” says Dickenson. “He’s doing some things down south–making sure all of his options are explored.”
Thursday the Riders moved Williams-Lambert to the Suspended list, in another clerical move.
The 25 year old had 62 receptions for 764 yards and 4 TD for the Riders in 2018.