CTV News has learned that Tom Canada will no longer be dealt to the Hamilton Ticats.
Instead, the defensive end will be placed on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers' nine-game injured reserve list because of an enlarged spleen, which makes him ineligible for trading.
CTV News has learned the Bombers will trade a first-round draft pick instead of Canada plus the rights to Canadian-born defensive lineman Corey Mace to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for linebacker Zeke Moreno.
The Bombers and Ticats are tied for fourth in the East Division standings with identical 2-8 records.
While filling his truck up with gas, he told CTV's Shawn Churchill he has an enlarged spleen and should be on the team's injury reserve list.
"My main focus right now is being healthy, not rupturing the spleen and not dying," he said.
Canada is a six-foot-three, 255-pound end who is in his fifth CFL season, all with Winnipeg, and has emerged as one of the league's top pass rushers. Initially Canada, 28, balked at reporting to Hamilton. Canada then checked himself into a hospital to have his spleen checked.
"I've bled blue and gold since I've been here," Canada said. "I had options to go other places, and I didn't because I love this town, I love the people and the fans."
Canada signed a multi-year deal with Winnipeg last year with a reported salary of $160,000. But $100,000 of that apparently was paid up front, leaving him with a $60,000 base stipend.
With the Bombers being better than halfway through the season, Canada would have been paid $130,000, giving him ample financial resources to dig in his heels and remain steadfast in not wanting to go to Hamilton.
"Zeke Moreno is one of the CFL's top linebackers and we needed to make a move to improve our football team," said Blue Bombers GM Brendan Taman in a statement.
"Zeke will make an immediate impact on our club. With the addition of Kai Ellis, we can move Kai to rush end, have Zeke start at linebacker and maintain a veteran presence on our defence. Short term, Zeke fills a need because of injuries. Long term, the upside of this young man is tremendous and he has already shown in a short time, that he can be an elite starting linebacker in this league for a long time."
Canada was the Bombers' outstanding defensive player last year, finishing third overall in the CFL with a career-high 12 sacks. But the California native has just three sacks and an interception this season. He said his spleen has been giving him problems all year long.
"I did not play so hot. I'm one of the first one to say that," he said. "I wasn't playing up to par. I haven't been feeling well all year, but I don't want to be making excuses, you know, me saying that I've had this condition all year and that's what's causing it."
Moreno is in his second season with Hamilton and was a CFL all-star last season. Prior to joining the Ticats, Moreno, 29, spent time in the NFL with the San Diego Chargers (2001-`04) and Philadelphia Eagles (2005).
The six-foot-two, 246-pound Moreno, who played his college football at USC, had 114 tackles for Hamilton last season and has 53 tackles and two sacks in 2008 for the Ticats.
