The Montreal Alouettes re-signed punter Joseph Zema to a two-year contract extension through the 2024 season and released defensive back Kenneth Durden on Tuesday.
Joseph Zema is six foot and weighs 215 pounds. The 28-year-old from Melbourne, Victoria, made 85 punts for 3,243 yards (47.3 AVG), finishing fourth in the league. The Alouettes drafted Zema in the first round (6th pick) in the 2021 CFL Global Draft. In two seasons, Zema punted the ball 175 times for 6,552 yards (46.2 AVG).
Collegiately, Zema played one season at Incarnate Word in 2017 with 77 punts for 3,595 yards (46.7 AVG), five touchbacks, 20 from inside the 20-yard line, 31 from 50-plus yards, and three kickoffs for 188 yards. Before Incarnate Word, Zema graduated from Australian Catholic University in 2015 with a degree in Exercise Sport Science.
Kenneth Durden is six foot one and weighs 180 pounds. The 30-year-old from Valdosta, Georgia, made 18 tackles in seven games for the Alouettes in 2022. Before the CFL, Durden spent two seasons on the Oakland Raiders practice squad (2016-17) and three seasons with the Tennessee Titans (2017-19), playing five games.
Collegiately, Durden played in three seasons (2011-13) at South Florida with 42 tackles, six pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in 19 games for the Bulls. Then, he transferred to Youngstown State for one season in 2014, with 22 tackles, five pass breakups, and one interception in 11 games for the Penguins.
