Blue Bombers Transactions - August 17, 2025

[ModAdmin]

Blue Bombers Transactions - August 17, 2025

WINNIPEG, MB., August 17, 2025 – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has added two defensive backs to the practice roster in Demerio Houston and Russell Dandy.

Houston (5-11, 170; Southern: born: September 3, 1996, in Shelby, NC) returns to the Blue Bombers after spending the 2024 season with the Calgary Stampeders. Houston spent 2021-23 with the Blue Bombers, appearing in 30 games – including 26 starts – and totalled 84 defensive tackles while adding nine interceptions, including one for a touchdown.

He was a member of the 2021 Grey Cup championship team and named a West Division and CFL All-Star in 2023 before signing with Calgary as a free agent in 2024. Last year, he had five interceptions, and 74 defensive tackles – both team highs for the Stamps – and added a quarterback sack.

Dandy (6-0, 170, Eastern Illinois; born: April 28, 2000, in Hinesville, GA) is back with the Blue Bombers after being among the team's final cuts at the conclusion of training camp. He was also in camp with the team in 2024.

Dandy started his collegiate career with Butte College (2018-19) and then transferred to Eastern Illinois (2021-23). In his final year there he was selected First Team All-Big South Conference and led the FCS in passes defended with 19, adding one interception. He attended the New York Jets rookie minicamp in 2024 before heading north to the Blue Bombers.

The team has also released American running back Quinton Cooley from the practice roster.

[The Zipp]

good moves - i guess the charges were a non issue after they were dismissed or suspended (whatever the legal terms are).


here is article regarding his charges being dismissed

https://3downnation.com/2025/03/21/domestic-violence-charge-against-cfl-db-demerio-houston-dismissed/

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Blue Bombers Transactions - August 17, 2025

WINNIPEG, MB., August 17, 2025 – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has added two defensive backs to the practice roster in Demerio Houston and Russell Dandy.

Houston (5-11, 170; Southern: born: September 3, 1996, in Shelby, NC) returns to the Blue Bombers after spending the 2024 season with the Calgary Stampeders. Houston spent 2021-23 with the Blue Bombers, appearing in 30 games – including 26 starts – and totalled 84 defensive tackles while adding nine interceptions, including one for a touchdown.

He was a member of the 2021 Grey Cup championship team and named a West Division and CFL All-Star in 2023 before signing with Calgary as a free agent in 2024. Last year, he had five interceptions, and 74 defensive tackles – both team highs for the Stamps – and added a quarterback sack.

Dandy (6-0, 170, Eastern Illinois; born: April 28, 2000, in Hinesville, GA) is back with the Blue Bombers after being among the team's final cuts at the conclusion of training camp. He was also in camp with the team in 2024.

Dandy started his collegiate career with Butte College (2018-19) and then transferred to Eastern Illinois (2021-23). In his final year there he was selected First Team All-Big South Conference and led the FCS in passes defended with 19, adding one interception. He attended the New York Jets rookie minicamp in 2024 before heading north to the Blue Bombers.

The team has also released American running back Quinton Cooley from the practice roster.

Inevitable, no sense holding onto an Import RB when a Natl. is the starter.  Glad to see Dandy back, he showed well in the second pre-season game.

[Jesse]

Wow. Big moves.

[Blue In BC]

I thought we'd see some new faces but not any particular positions or familiar faces.  Bringing 2 DB's in is a good decision but we may see other changes in trickle down impact on the PR.

Either way, this is going to change the role of Vaval back to return specialist primarily and back up DB. I'm ok with that but I wonder if D. Lawson's time on the AR will be shortened as well.

Houston is probably capable of starting this week even on a short week if he's stayed in shape.

This probably means Parker won't be back for a longer time frame and could be moved to 6 game IR?

Cooley being released is somewhat of a surprise but his passport was always going to be an issue. Peterson is the back up.

I won't be surprised if there is a bit more shuffling of the rosters.

[Pigskin]

Nice to have a experienced CFL DB back in fold.

[theaardvark]

Houston left for the money, and I don't know why it didn't work for him, whether it was the wrong scheme, or if it was him.

I don't think we bring him back if they don't think he is going to be able to fit in.  Which hopefully means we get some semblance of the old Houston.

Last cut in TC is usually a player with potential.  What he's been doing since he was cut is important, if he's been working and learning the scheme, and watching the games, he might just pick up where he left.

Definitely not bad moves, we will see if they are good moves.

[bunker]

Good moves, we need the depth and Houston is likely an upgrade over what we have.

[Pete]

Houston left for the money, and I don't know why it didn't work for him, whether it was the wrong scheme, or if it was him.

I don't think we bring him back if they don't think he is going to be able to fit in.  Which hopefully means we get some semblance of the old Houston.

Last cut in TC is usually a player with potential.  What he's been doing since he was cut is important, if he's been working and learning the scheme, and watching the games, he might just pick up where he left.

Definitely not bad moves, we will see if they are good moves.

He did fine in Calgary it was the legal issues that kept him off the roster, then they were able to find some good corners and cheaper.

[Jesse]

Houston left for the money, and I don't know why it didn't work for him, whether it was the wrong scheme, or if it was him.

It didn't work out because he was arrested for domestic violence and the league instructed the Stamps to cut him.

[Waffler]

Smart moves. Improves the secondary immediately. Cooley I feel for him but MOS tried to get him on the roster multiple ways. RB, kick returner and I even saw him lined up at wideout in practice for a few plays, didn't feel at liberty to disclose that at the time.  We just don't have a place for him sadly. I am convinced he can play CFL ball though.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Smart moves. Improves the secondary immediately. Cooley I feel for him but MOS tried to get him on the roster multiple ways. RB, kick returner and I even saw him lined up at wideout in practice for a few plays, didn't feel at liberty to disclose that at the time.  We just don't have a place for him sadly. I am convinced he can play CFL ball though.

Unfortunate, hopefully Cooley can catch on as backup somewhere else, maybe in Ottawa behind Stanback. RB quality has improved dramatically in the last 2 years following the Bombers lead, Butler, Rankin, Mills, Bell, Oullette, Thomas-Erlington all playing very well. Brady facing stiff competition at his position probably won't make all-star this season.

[Blueforlife]

Good likely starter and depth signing.  I don't like the violence history but I guess we can give the benefit of the doubt on this one.  Important to ensure the Bomber organization employs athletes that would reflect out community values and ethics.

[blue_or_die]

Super happy to have Houston back. He was our shut down corner before he left, and it weren't for Bonds showing so well, we'd still be thinking about him. Now with Bonds out and already being weak on the other side, this is very much welcome and needed.

[Jesse]

Good likely starter and depth signing.  I don't like the violence history but I guess we can give the benefit of the doubt on this one.  Important to ensure the Bomber organization employs athletes that would reflect out community values and ethics.

He 100% does not, so you kind of have to make a decision on this one. Club is ignoring his off-field issues because they need him on the field.