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Edmonton Elks acquire Gittens Jr. from Toronto Argonauts in exchange for Ceresna

Toronto Argonauts wide receiver Kurleigh Gittens Jr. (19) runs with the football during practice at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, on Wednesday, November 16, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu

The Edmonton Elks obtained another target for new quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson.

Edmonton acquired Canadian receiver Kurleigh Gittens Jr. and a ’24 seventh-round draft pick from Toronto on Monday for American defensive lineman Jake Ceresna and a negotiation list player.

Ottawa Redblacks quarterback Nick Arbuckle (19) is sacked by Edmonton Elks Jake Ceresna (94) during second half CFL action in Ottawa on Friday, August 19, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Patrick Doyle

Edmonton signed Bethel-Thompson to a one-year deal just over a week ago. Bethel-Thompson and Gittens were teammates in Toronto in 2022 when the Argos won the Grey Cup.

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The five-foot-11, 191-pound Gittens, who played collegiately at Wilfrid Laurier, had a breakout 2022 season, registering 81 catches for 1,101 yards and five touchdowns — all career highs.

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But injuries this past year limited Gittens to 35 receptions for 416 yards and a touchdown in 10 regular-season contests.

Toronto selected Gittens, 26, in the third round of the 2016 CFL draft. He was a CFL all-star in 2022 in addition to being the East Division’s top Canadian.

The six-foot-five, 295-pound Ceresna registered 48 tackles and 12 sacks last season, both career highs. He also had a forced fumble and was named Edmonton’s top defensive player the past two years.

Ceresna joins the Argos after four seasons with Edmonton. He began his CFL tenure with the Ottawa Redblacks in 2017 before being dealt to Alberta.

Ceresna has appeared in 75 career CFL regular-season games, registering 163 tackles, 37 sacks and six forced fumbles.

Click to play video: 'Edmonton Elks reflect on disappointing season and look ahead to a better year to come'
Edmonton Elks reflect on disappointing season and look ahead to a better year to come

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