Argos release standout rookie DT Armstead

The Toronto Argonauts released import defensive tackle Armond Armstead after his impressive rookie season, the team announced Friday.

The 22-year-old led the team in sacks in 2012 with six, registered 43 tackles and was named an East Division and all-star.

It is believed that Armstead will attempt to crack a National Football League roster next season, which is one possible reason for his release. The team released emotional leader Ejiro Kuale in December so the linebacker could pursue a job in the NFL.

The Argos are coming off a championship season, beating the Calgary Stampeders in the 100th Grey Cup in November at the Rogers Centre in Toronto.

Armstead, a native of Sacramento, Calif., is currently involved in a lawsuit with the University of Southern California. The lawsuit was filed by him and some of his former USC teammates last August and claims he received improperly administered painkilling injections of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug called Toradol, which caused him to suffer a heart attack and therefore hurt his chances of having an NFL career right out of college.

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