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New England Patriots work out five Key players Ahead of the Weekend Game
The New England Patriots worked out five CFL players on Friday, including Saskatchewan Roughriders’ receiver Samuel Emilus, Ottawa Redblacks linebacker Gary Johnson Jr., Hamilton Tiger-Cats returner Tyreik McAllister, and B.C. Lions linebacker Josh Woods.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats linebacker Carthell Flowers-Lloyd was also involved in the workout, which was first reported by 3DownNation‘s Justin Dunk on Friday morning. It was his second NFL workout this year, following one with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Emilus caught 70 passes for 1,097 yards and six touchdowns in his second season with the Riders. The Montreal native was originally selected with the seventh overall pick in the first round of the 2022 CFL Draft after a productive collegiate career at Louisiana Tech (2021) and UMass (2018-2020). He has already worked out for the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos this offseason.
Johnson played in 11 games for Ottawa in 2023, contributing eight special teams tackles and a forced fumble. The University of Texas product previously spent three seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, collecting nine defensive tackles, 24 special teams tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble in 22 career CFL games. He worked out for the Jacksonville Jaguars earlier this month.
McAllister was a versatile weapon for the Ticats during his first CFL season in 2023, leading the league in kickoff return average and all-purpose yards. The former University of Charleston running back recorded 13 carries for 52 yards, 27 receptions for 364 yards and two touchdowns, 41 kickoff returns for an average of 25.3 yards, 56 punt returns for an average of 10.8 yards, and seven missed field goal returns for 408 yards and one touchdown. He has since worked out for the Las Vegas Raiders and Arizona Cardinals.
Woods grew into a rotational role in his third season with the Lions. In 37 career CFL games, the UCLA product has collected 69 defensive tackles, 21 special teams tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, and a defensive touchdown. He previously worked out for the Denver Broncos.
Both Woods and Johnson are scheduled to hit free agency in February. Emilus, McAllister and Flowers-Lloyd remain under contract with their respective CFL clubs next season but are able to explore NFL opportunities during the league’s workout window.
The Patriots (4-11) have already been eliminated from playoff contention. They are scheduled to face the Buffalo Bills (9-6) on Sunday, December 31 at 1:00 p.m. ET.
