The Toronto Argonauts have released 15 players from their practice roster following Saturday’s 25–22 loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the CFL East Semi-Final.
Two of the more notable names on the list are running back Samuel Hicks and punter John Haggerty, who both started the 2026 season with much bigger roles on the team.
Hicks entered the season as Toronto’s number one running back but eventually lost his starting job. The Argonauts moved him to the practice roster in August, with rookie Isaiah Smith taking over the starting role. In 12 games, Hicks rushed for 454 yards and three touchdowns on 76 carries. He also added 188 receiving yards and one touchdown through the air.
Haggerty is another interesting name. The Australian punter has been one of the CFL’s better punters over the last few seasons and was part of Toronto’s Grey Cup championship teams in 2022 and 2024. Haggerty was named an East Division All-Star in both 2022 and 2024 and averaged 52 yards per punt in five games this season. After suffering a hamstring injury early in the year, Toronto acquired punter James Burnip from Ottawa in July. Burnip took over the punting duties and went on to lead the CFL with a 50.5-yard punting average, earning East Division All-CFL honours.
Who Else Was Released?
Quarterback Luis Perez was also among the 15 players released. Perez joined Toronto in September and appeared in just one regular-season game, completing two of three passes for 26 yards.
The Argonauts also released running back Qualan Jones, receivers Michael Buckley and Solomon Davis, and offensive lineman Domenico Piazza.
On the defensive side, linemen Gabriel Maisonneuve, Jalen Bell, Denzel Daxon and Jason Compoh were released, along with linebackers Jalen Rayam and James Neal, and defensive backs Akili Arnold and Nicolas Toomer.
Change Is Coming in Toronto
With the Argonauts eliminated from the playoffs, changes could be coming in Toronto, and it looks like they might start with the running game.
Hicks entered the season as the team’s number one running back, but after losing his starting job and finishing the year on the practice roster, his release raises questions about what direction Toronto will take in the backfield heading into 2027.
While these releases are part of the CFL’s postseason practice-roster process, they could be the first signs of a much different Argonauts team next season. The moves don’t necessarily mean Toronto has permanently moved on from these players, as some could still return.
What’s Next for Toronto?
Over the coming days, The Analyst Desk’s Jacob Moore will have a full breakdown of what went wrong for the Argonauts in 2026, the changes this team needs to make, and what Toronto must do to get back into Grey Cup contention in 2027.
