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Tuskers Release Cason

November 8, 2010 - United Football League (UFL 1)
Florida Tuskers News Release


ORLANDO, FL - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2010 - After being plagued by numerous defensive injuries throughout the year, it was an offensive injury that caused Tuskers head coach Jay Gruden to juggle his roster on Monday.

The Tuskers released veteran running back Aveion Cason on Monday and re-signed offensive lineman Steve Justice.

Cason, who began the season as the Tuskers starter at running back and top kickoff return man, has seen his playing time diminish with the emergence of Dominic Rhodes at the team's feature back. Rhodes has had two 100-yard rushing games in his last three outings and has already rushed for a franchise record 393 yards through six games. In addition, former NFL standout Maurice Hicks had also passed Cason on the depth chart.

Cason, who collected 325 all-purpose yards and one touchdown this season with the Tuskers, spent eight seasons in the NFL. Playing for Detroit, Dallas and St. Louis, he collected gained more than 3,600 all-purpose yards and scored five touchdowns.

Gruden used Cason's roster spot to re-sign Justice. A former Wake Forest standout, Justice played in eight games for the Indianapolis Colts in 2008 and went to camp with the Carolina Panthers this year. Justice, who can play several positions on the offensive line, also played in the United Football League for the New York Sentinels and was on the Tuskers roster briefly this season.

The move was made necessary by an injury to guard Adrien Clarke. A 7th round pick of the Tuskers in the UFL draft this season, he had started all six games for Florida this season. Clarke, who played in 28 games and made 18 starts in the NFL from 2004-07, sustained a knee injury in the Omaha game and is listed as questionable for this week's contest.

In other roster moves, Florida released second-year wide receiver Jayson Foster and brought back former Purdue standout John Standeford. Foster, who was the second leading receiver for the Tuskers last year with 17 catches for 268 yards and three scores, had just four catches for 42 yards and no touchdowns this year. Standeford, who left Purdue as the Big Ten's all-time leader in receptions, was the last wide receiver waived by the Tuskers in training camp this season. Standeford played in 11 games for the Detroit Lions in 2008-09, catching 16 passes for 249 yards. He also earned a Super Bowl ring as a member of the 2006 Indianapolis Colts.

The Tuskers, 3-3 on the season, return to action on Thursday night against the Hartford Colonials, 2-4. Kickoff is slated for 7:07 p.m. at the Florida Citrus Bowl.

TUSKERS NOTEBOOK: Injuries continue to plague the Tuskers...In addition to Adrien Clarke, WR Cortez Hankton (shoulder) and DL Patrick Chukurwah (hip flexor) were both hurt in the Omaha game...both players are listed as doubtful for this week's game...Chukurwah picked up two sacks in last week's game and continues to lead the UFL in that category with 5.5...RB Dominic Rhodes averaged more than 10 yards per carry against Omaha, picking up 111 yards on just 11 carries...Rhodes' 65-yard touchdown run was the longest of the season in the UFL this year and set a club record...Former Florida Gator Keiwan Ratliff became the first Tuskers player to return an interception for touchdown, picking off Jeff Garcia in the third quarter of last Thursday's game and returning it 29-yards for a score...linebacker Terrance Melton was also involved in a dubious "pick six" in that game...After intercepting Garcia's replacement Matt Gutierrez in the end zone, Melton tried to run the ball back but was stripped from behind by WR Robert Ferguson, who fell on the fumble for a touchdown...For a neat look at the UFL and its players, check out: www.YouTube.com/theUFL... Thursday's opponents, the Hartford Colonials, are coached by former Cleveland Brown head coach Chris Palmer...Palmer also earned a Super Bowl ring as quarterbacks coach of the New York Giants in 2007..former Florida State standout Lorenzo Booker is third in the UFL in total yards from scrimmage...Tickets for Thursday night's game, starting at just $15, are available by calling 407-377-6828.

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