Roughriders acquire Hughes

The Saskatchewan Roughriders acquired defensive lineman Charleston Hughes Friday, hours after the Hamilton Tiger-Cats briefly picked up the 2017 CFL sack leader from Calgary.

Hamilton acquired Hughes from the Stampeders in the early afternoon before dealing him to the Roughriders in exchange for quarterback Vernon Adams Jr.

The Stampeders received a fourth-round pick in the 2019 draft from Hamiton in the original Hughes deal. Calgary and the Ticats also exchange fourth-round picks in the 2018 draft — the Stampeders receiving the 28th overall selection and Hamilton the 34th.

Hughes led the CFL in sacks last season with 11.

“In a salary-cap world, sometimes difficult decisions have to be made and this is definitely a very difficult decision,” Stampeders president and general manager John Hufnagel said in a release. “Charleston has been a big part of our winning ways over the past 10 years and I thank him for his service and for the positive impact he made on this organization and this community.

“I wish him nothing but the best for the future.”

Hughes joined the Stampeders in 2008 and played a total of 162 games, including 15 playoff games, over 10 seasons.

The 34-year-old Saginaw, Mich., native leaves Calgary with a share of the franchise record with 99 career regular-season sacks. Hughes also had 372 defensive tackles, 38 special-teams tackles, three interceptions, 23 forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries and one touchdown with the Stampeders.

Hughes has appeared in 11 career playoff games and four Grey Cup games.