OTTAWA — The Ottawa REDBLACKS have signed Jerrell Gavins to a contract extension, the team announced Monday, keeping the three-year CFL veteran off the free agent wire.

Gavins, ranked 21st overall among CFL.ca’s top 30 free agents, was due to hit the market on Tuesday at 12 p.m.

“Jerrell has been an important part of our team since Day 1 and we’re happy to have him back for another season in Ottawa,” said REDBLACKS General Manager Marcel Desjardins in a team-issued press release.

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Beginning at 11:30am ET on Tuesday, Free Agency Live will stream on CFL.ca every hour on the half hour. Host Brodie Lawson and former all-star defensive back and CFL.ca contributor Davis Sanchez will lead the charge with up-to-the minute analysis, updates and extensive breakdowns of the annual sweepstakes … Learn More.

Gavins appeared in 13 games in Ottawa’s Grey Cup-winning 2016 season, recording 32 defensive tackles along the way. In three seasons with the REDBLACKS, Gavins has 126 tackles and six interceptions in 44 games.

“I’m very happy to be back in Ottawa and I’m looking forward to getting back out there in front of RNation,” said Gavins.

.@DavisSanchez with some quick reaction to Jerrell Gavins resigning with the @REDBLACKS one day before #CFLFA. pic.twitter.com/18ZMZO71re — CFL (@CFL) February 13, 2017

The REDBLACKS have been busy on both sides of the ball in the days leading up to the opening of the CFL’s Free Agency period on Tuesday. On Friday, the club agreed to terms with receiver Greg Ellingson on a new two-year deal.