Riders sign former NFL receiver Keesean Johnson

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have added another American receiver to the mix.

On Thursday, the Green and White announced the signing of Keesean Johnson, a receiver who comes to the CFL with 18 games of NFL experience.

After being selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the sixth round, 174th overall in the 2019 NFL Draft, the 6-foot-1, 201-pounder played ten games in his rookie season, making four starts. He caught 21 passes for 187 yards and a touchdown in his first year.

The California native returned to the Cardinals in 2020, catching 15 passes for 173 yards in eight games. He was waived by Arizona in August 2021.

Johnson went on to sign with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he spent the 2021 season on the practice roster before dressing for one playoff game. He then had stints with the San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons and Buffalo Bills, but did not suit up for a game.

Prior to turning pro, Johnson played five seasons at Fresno State, where he became the program's alltime leading receiver in receptions (275) and receiving yards (3,463). In 51 career games, he also had 24 touchdowns. His 95 catches in his senior season were fourth best in the entire NCAA while his 1,340 receiving yards put him sixth.

Johnson is the latest former NFL receiver to join the Roughriders this off-season as they previously signed former Green Bay Packers receiver Geronimo Allison, a 30-year-old who brings 46 games of NFL experience.

The Riders also signed former NFL receiver Dazz Newsome earlier this week. He suited up for three games with the Chicago Bears after being drafted by the team in 2021.