Ottawa has made a change along the defensive line.

Jonathan Newsome has been released by the team following a slow start to the year. The 28-year-old dressed for six games with the team this season, recording one defensive tackle and zero sacks.

The four-year veteran started his CFL career in Saskatchewan where he recorded 34 tackles and two sacks in 19 games. He as cut by the Riders midway through the 2017 season, Newsome quickly joined Ottawa where he spent the past two years.

Newsome was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He made an impact instantly playing in all 16 games as a rookie registering 28 tackles, 6.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. In 2015 the six-foot-three, 247-pound pass rusher managed one sack and one forced fumble in 14 games with the Colts.

The emergence of Avery Ellis and J.R. Tavai have made Newsome expendable in Noel Thorpe’s defence.