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Roughriders deny report Johnny Manziel worked out for team

Peter G. Aiken / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Saskatchewan Roughriders general manager and coach Chris Jones has vehemently denied a report by Justin Dunk of 3 Down Nation that the team worked out former Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel in late January.

Sources told Dunk that Manziel worked out for the team in Florida prior to the Senior Bowl. The former Heisman Trophy winner is on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats' negotiation list, meaning a workout with Saskatchewan would be against league rules.

"Of course not, he's on Hamilton's negotiation list," Jones told TSN's Gary Lawless on Thursday when asked if Manziel worked out for his team. "... No one from our club worked him out. We're considering legal action."

Jones later added in an official team statement: "The Saskatchewan Roughriders have not held or attended a workout involving Johnny Manziel. With that, I will not be commenting further on the report."

Manziel was released by the Browns after the 2015 season, and was suspended for the first four games of the 2016 NFL season for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

Whether or not Manziel worked out for the Roughriders, there's no denying the club is looking for options at quarterback. Longtime starter Darian Durant was dealt to the Montreal Alouettes in January, leaving a void at the position. Saskatchewan added former Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young to its negotiation list last week, and recently signed veteran Kevin Glenn as well.

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