The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed running back Chris Smith and defensive lineman Ali Fayad to the practice squad while placing defensive linemen Miles Fox and Celestin Haba on the six-game injured list on Saturday.
Chris Smith is five foot nine and weighs 194 pounds. The 24-year-old from Meridian, Mississippi, signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2023. Next, Smith was drafted by the San Antonio Brahmas (XFL) in the 2023 Rookie Draft.
Then, Smith signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on February 4, 2024. He played two preseason games with six carries for 16 yards, three kick returns for 71 yards, and two punt returns for 113 yards. Smith was released by the Blue Bombers on June 2, 2024.
Collegiately, Smith played five seasons at Louisiana-Lafayette (2018-22) with 373 carries for 2,167 yards, 16 touchdowns, completed one pass for 37 yards, one touchdown, made 52 catches for 410 yards, three touchdowns, 66 kick returns for 1,556 yards, two touchdowns, two punt returns for 11 yards, four tackles (2 solo, 2 assists), and one pass breakup in 53 games for the Ragin’ Cajuns. He was named FWAA Second Team All-American in 2020, and First Team All-Sun Belt in 2021.
Ali Fayad is six foot two and weighs 250 pounds. The 25-year-old from Dearborn, Michigan, signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2022.
Next, Fayad signed with the Toronto Argonauts as a free agent on September 2, 2022. Fayad made five tackles and one sack in four games for the Toronto Argonauts in 2022 winning the 109th Grey Cup over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Then, Fayad signed with the Philadelphia Stars on March 4, 2023. He made 13 tackles (4 solo, 9 assists), and one sack in six games. Fayad signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on January 17, 2024. However, the Blue Bombers released him on May 12, 2024.
Collegiately, Fayad played five seasons at Western Michigan (2017-21) with 164 tackles (98 solo, 66 assists), 56.5 tackles for loss, 33.5 sacks, three pass breakups, 11 forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries in 55 games for the Broncos.
In his final season, Fayad made 40 tackles, 13 sacks, two pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 13 games. He was named MAC Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-MAC.
Miles Fox is six foot one and weighs 297 pounds. The 27-year-old from Lawrenceville, Georgia, signed with the B.C. Lions on May 23, 2022. Fox played three games for the Lions making three tackles in 2022 before spending the rest of the season on the practice squad.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed Fox on June 12, 2023. He made three tackles and one sack in two games. In 2024, Fox made one tackle in two games. He suffered an injury against the Ottawa Redblacks on Thursday and did not return.
Collegiately, Fox played four seasons at Old Dominion (2015-18) with 116 tackles (52 solo, 64 assists), 16.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks, two forced fumbles, and one pass breakup in 39 games for the Monarchs. He missed the 2019 season due to a Torn Achilles injury. In 2017, Fox was an All-Conference USA honorable mention.
Then, Fox transferred to Wake Forrest (2020-21) with 58 tackles (31 solo, 27 assists), 17.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, one pass breakup, and one fumble recovery in 21 games for the Demon Deacons. In addition, Fox was named 2020 Third Team All-ACC.
Celestin Haba is six foot two and weighs 250 pounds. The 24-year-old from Columbia, South Carolina, signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on May 30, 2023. In 2023, Haba made 12 tackles, four sacks, and one forced fumble in eight games. This season, Haba made one tackle in two games before suffering a knee injury against the Ottawa Redblacks on Thursday night.
Collegiately, Haba played one season at Scottsdale Community College in 2018 with 81 tackles (54 solo, 27 assists), 27.5 tackles for loss, 17.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and 11 pass breakups in ten games for the Artichokes. In 2019, he transferred to Western Kentucky but did not record any stats.
Then, Haba transferred to Texas A&M-Commerce (2021-22) with 39 tackles (15 solo, 24 assists), 13 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, one interception for 41 yards, one touchdown, two pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in 16 games for the Lions. He was named First Team All-Southland Conference in 2022.
