The Montreal Alouettes signed kicker Lewis Ward and released wide receiver and kicker returner Phillip Brooks III on Tuesday.
Lewis Ward is five foot seven and weighs 176 pounds. The 33-year-old from Kingston, Ontario, in 2025 made 35 of 46 field goals (76.1%) with a long of 50 yards, and made 33 of 35 extra points in 18 games. The Redblacks released him on April 16, 2026.
The Ottawa Redblacks signed Ward as an undrafted free agent on January 3, 2018. In his rookie year, he was named a CFL East All-Star and a CFL All-Star in 2018 after making 51 of 52 field goals (98.1%), with a long of 52 yards, and made 16 extra points in 18 games. He was named CFL Most Outstanding Rookie and CFL Most Outstanding Special Teams Player in 2018.
In 2023, Ward made 34 of 40 field goals (85%), with a long of 54 yards, and made 21 extra points in 13 games before an injury sidelined him for the rest of the season. In six seasons in Ottawa, Ward made 255 of 289 field goals (88.2%) with a long of 56 yards and made 105 of 113 extra points in 95 games.
In 2024, made 58 of 66 field goals (87.9%) with a long of 54 yards and made 22 of 24 extra points in 18 games. The Redblacks re-signed Ward on October 8, 2024. In seven seasons with Ottawa, Ward has made 300 of 347 field goals (86.5%), with a long of 56 yards, and made 140 of 156 extra points.
Collegiately, Ward played six seasons at the University of Ottawa (2012-17), making 89 of 113 field goals (79%), with a long of 51 yards, and made 135 extra points. He was the University of Ottawa All-Time Scoring Leader (412), U Sports third in all-time scoring (89), and second in all-time field goals made (89). Ward was named an OUA Second Team All-Star in 2016.
Phillip Brooks III is five foot seven and weighs 175 pounds. The 26-year-old from Overland Park, Kansas, signed with the Montreal Alouettes on January 19, 2026. In 2026, he had six kick returns for 140 yards, eight punt returns for 59 yards, and one missed field goal return for 35 yards in two games.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed Brooks III to the practice squad on September 4, 2025. Brooks III appeared in two games with three kick returns for 89 yards and 10 punt returns for 66 yards. The Tiger-Cats released him on October 9, 2025.
The Kansas City Chiefs signed Brooks III as an undrafted free agent on May 6, 2024. In 2024, he had one kick return for 27 yards in three preseason games. The Chiefs released him on August 26, 2024.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed Brooks on February 21, 2025. In 2025, Brooks III made two catches for 14 yards, seven kick returns for 173 yards, and three punt returns for 13 yards in two preseason games. The Ticats released him on May 31, 2025.
The B.C. Lions signed Brooks III on June 25, 2025. In 2025, Brooks had four kick returns for 94 yards and two punt returns for 10 yards against the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Week 4. The Lions released him on July 18, 2025.
Collegiately, Brooks III played five seasons at Kansas State (2019-23) with 182 catches for 2,127 yards, 14 touchdowns, 29 carries for 122 yards, one touchdown, 44 kick returns for 847 yards, 57 punt returns for 712 yards, four touchdowns, and five tackles (5 solos) in 65 games for the Wildcats.
He was named First Team All-Big 12 in 2020, Second Team All-Big 12 in 2022, Third Team All-American in 2020 by Phil Steele, Honorable Mention Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year in 2022, and a two-time Big 12 Honorable Mention in 2023.
