Hamilton Tiger-Cats' running back Avon Cobourne (22) can't make this one-handed catch against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers' during second half CFL action in Winnipeg, Sunday, November 20, 2011.Trevor Hagan/The Canadian Press
Avon Cobourne is back with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
The veteran tailback re-signed with the CFL club Friday, a day after running back Martell Mallett suffered a season-ending torn Achilles tendon. Hamilton released Cobourne, at his request, on Feb. 1 shortly after the team signed Mallett as a free agent this off-season.
The 33-year-old Cobourne finished fourth among CFL rushers last year – his first with Hamilton – with 961 yards. He averaged 4.8 yards a carry and scored eight touchdowns while adding 50 receptions for 459 yards.
Cobourne ran for 97 yards and a touchdown and added five catches for 48 yards in Hamilton's 52-44 overtime win over Montreal in the East Division semi-final. But the Winnipeg Blue Bombers held Cobourne to just 28 yards rushing on nine carries and four catches for 39 yards in their 19-3 victory over the Ticats in the conference final.
The 5-foot-8, 205-pound Cobourne spent his first five CFL seasons with Montreal, helping the Alouettes win consecutive Grey Cup titles in 2009 and 2010.
Cobourne enjoyed his best rushing season in 2009, running for 1,214 yards before being named the MVP of the Als' 28-27 Grey Cup win over Saskatchewan. He had 85 yards rushing and a TD on 16 carries in that game, while adding six catches for 64 yards.