Slumping Blue Bombers release running back Nic Grigsby

The slumping Winnipeg Blue Bombers have released international running back Nic Grigsby.

He currently leads the CFL with nine touchdowns (eight rushing) and also led the league in rushing earlier this season. He currently sits fourth overall with 744 rushing yards on 162 carries for a 4.6-yard average.

The team made the announcement Wednesday in a one-line news release. Grigsby, a 25-year-old Los Angeles native, later weighed in with more details on Twitter.

"To all my teammates & fans here in the peg I love and wish you guys nothing but the best. I asked for my release!!," he said in a tweet.

Winnipeg (6-9) has dropped six straight games, including a lopsided 41-9 road decision to the Edmonton Eskimos on Monday. The Blue Bombers left Grigsby off their roster for the game.

Winnipeg hosts the league-leading Calgary Stampeders on Saturday night.