Roughriders & Johnny Manziel Deny Report He Worked Out For Them

Update:

Roughriders GM Chris Jones said they’re considering taking legal action against the outlet (3DownNation) that reported they brought in Johnny Manziel for a workout.

“No one from our club worked him out,” Jones said. “We’re considering legal action.”

Beyond that, a spokesperson for Manziel also refuted that he worked out for the team, according to TSN.

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According to Justin Dunk of the Hamilton Spectator, former Browns QB Johnny Manziel worked out for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL.

However, if this workout actually took place, it would be a violation of CFL rules, considering that Manziel’s exclusive negotiating rights are held by Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

“The rules regarding the [negotiating list] are outlined in our by-laws,” a league official told Dunk. “A team has exclusive rights to a player on their [negotiating list]. Therefore that player could not be contacted by, worked out by, or negotiate with another club unless consent is given.”

Roughriders general manager and head coach Chris Jones denied that the team had any contact with Manziel.

Last we heard regarding Manziel, Alex Marvez of the Sporting News reported that he plans to volunteer for testing under the NFL’s drug policy as part of his attempt to return to the NFL.

Manziel received a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on recreational drug and wound up sitting out the entire 2016 season.

Marvez points out that Manziel is currently considered a “Stage Two” offender, which means he would be subject him to random drug testing if signed by an NFL team.

The idea of him volunteering for testing is that Manziel is trying to show NFL teams that he is committed to turning around his life and salvaging what’s left of his football career.

According to Marvez, Manziel is working with quarterback guru George Whitfield Jr. and trying to get back into game shape.

It’s worth mentioning that Manziel could still be subject to discipline under the NFL’s personal conduct policy for a domestic violence charge against his ex-girlfriend, even though he reached a plea agreement back in December.

Manziel, 23, is a former first-round pick of the Browns back in 2014. He was in the second year of his four-year, $8,247,250 rookie contract when the Browns cut him loose at the start of the 2016 league year.

In 2015, Manziel appeared in nine games and thrown for 1,500 yards while completing 57.8 percent of his passes to go along with seven touchdowns and five interceptions. Manziel has also ran for 230 yards. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 31 quarterback out of 36 qualifying players.

We’ll have more regarding Manziel as the news is available.