Canadian defensive lineman Kwaku Boateng signed a contract extension through the 2020 season with the Edmonton Eskimos on Friday.
Boateng was scheduled to become a free agent Feb. 12.
The six-foot-two, 257-pound Boateng made 16 starts last season, registering 26 tackles and nine sacks. Boateng, 23, a native of Ghana who grew up in Milton, Ont., is entering his third season with the Eskimos and has accumulated 48 tackles, 13 sacks and a forced fumble in 34 career CFL games.
The Eskimos also signed Canadian linebacker Blair Smith through the 2020 season. The Mississauga, Ont., native appeared in 12 games last season, registering seven tackles, 13 special-teams tackles and an interception.
BOMBERS ADD TWO
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have signed running back Jalen Simmons and defensive back Mykkele Thompson, both Americans.
Simmons ran for 2,618 yards and 17 TDs in 44 career games at South Carolina State. In 2016, he signed with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent and has also spent time with the San Diego Chargers, New York Giants and Arizona Cardinals.
Thompson was a 2015 fifth-round pick of the Giants following his collegiate career at Texas. He also spent time with the New Orleans Saints.
WILLIAMS BACK WITH STAMPS
The Calgary Stampeders have re-signed starting centre Ucambre Williams.
Since signing with the Stamps in 2016, Williams has appeared in 36 regular-season games and five playoff contests.
The American was part of an offensive line that tied for fewest sacks allowed in the CFL last season.
"Ucambre has been one of the cornerstones of our offensive line over the past two seasons and I'm pleased he has chosen to remain in Calgary," Stampeders president and general manager John Hufnagel said in a statement.
"His reliability has been an important part of our success on offence and his versatility allows him to be a candidate to start at centre or tackle."
