Elks sign receiver Robustelli from Roughriders on opening day of CFL free agency

Montreal Alouettes' Lorenzo Burns (20) challenges Saskatchewan Roughriders' Joe Robustelli for the ball during first half CFL football action in Montreal, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025.

The Edmonton Elks added receiver depth from the Grey Cup champions to their roster Tuesday on opening day of Canadian Football League free agency.

The Elks announced Tuesday afternoon that they signed wide receiver Joe Robustelli to a one-year contract. The 28-year-old American spent last season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, catching 38 passes for 544 yards and a touchdown a year after suiting up in one game with them.

The six-foot-three, 220-lb. pass-catcher’s journey to the CFL is unique, having participated in high-level football relatively late in life after joining the team at Tennessee’s Tusculum University, a Division II U.S. school, as a training camp walk-on in 2023 before joining the Roughriders a year later.

The Stamford, Conn., native’s grandfather, Andy Robustelli, is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, having starred in the 1950s and ’60s as a defensive lineman for the New York Giants and Los Angeles Rams of the NFL.

The Elks also lost a member of last year’s roster to free agency on Tuesday after defensive end Jonathan Kongbo signed with the Toronto Argonauts. The 29-year-old Canadian registered four sacks over 16 games played in 2025.