Veteran returner/receiver Alford among three players released by Montreal Alouettes

MONTREAL — Veteran American receiver/returner Mario Alford was among three players released Tuesday by the Montreal Alouettes.

Also let go were Canadian Hakeem Harris and American Terique Owens, both receivers.

Alford was in his second stint with Montreal after playing previously with the CFL club in 2019 and 2021-22.

He signed with the Alouettes after being released during the preseason by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Alford appeared in four games this season with Montreal, returning 20 punts for 226 yards (11.3-yard average) and 14 kickoffs for 293 yards (20.9-yard average).

The five-foot-eight, 180-pound Alford also spent three seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders (2023-25), earning a Grey Cup ring with the club last season. Alford was the CFL’s top special-teams player in 2022 after posting 38 kickoff returns for 990 yards and two touchdowns, 44 punt returns for 530 yards and a touchdown and three missed field goal returns for 129 yards and one TD.

Alford has appeared in 78 career CFL regular-season games, recording nine catches for 77 yards. He also had 306 punt returns for 3,504 yards (11.5-yard average) with seven touchdowns as well as 211 kickoff returns for 5,064 yards (24-yard average) and five TDs.

Montreal selected Harris in the third round of the 2025 CFL draft out of Davenport University. He appeared in 12 regular-season games but didn’t register any statistics.

Owens appeared in four regular-season games with Montreal but not recording any catches.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 21, 2026.

The Canadian Press