The Saskatchewan Roughriders have released defensive lineman Garrett Marino following yet another hit that drew criticism in CFL circles.
The club announced the move Tuesday.
Marino levelled Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros after he pitched the ball late in Winnipeg’s 20-18 road win on Sunday.
Collaros, the front-runner for the league’s most outstanding player award, stayed in the game and there was no penalty on the play.
Earlier this year, Marino was given a CFL record four-game suspension for a low hit that injured Jeremiah Masoli — followed by comments made about the Redblacks quarterback’s heritage — along with an illegal hit on offensive lineman Dino Boyd.
After his suspension, Marino said he regretted the incident.
Masoli has said he felt the punishment was not stiff enough for Marino.
Marino also was fined last month for unnecessary roughness in a game against B.C. Lions offensive lineman Peter Godber.
Marino, 28, had one sack and nine defensive tackles this year.
The Alabama-Birmingham product also made headlines last year, his first season in the CFL, when he was ejected from a Winnipeg-Saskatchewan game for throwing punches.
The decision to cut ties with Marino comes in the midst of a challenging season for the Grey Cup hosts, who are 6-6 and fourth in the CFL West.
Discipline has been an issue for the Roughriders. In Sunday’s game, receiver Duke Williams, who was not dressed for the contest, was called for objectionable conduct while standing on the sideline with the team.
Afterward, Roughriders coach Craig Dickenson said players who are not dressed will no longer be on the sideline.
The Roughriders are in Winnipeg on Saturday for their annual post-Labour Day rematch — dubbed the Banjo Bowl — with the league-leading Blue Bombers.
