Elks release offensive lineman Jacob Ruby for breach of COVID-19 protocols

The Edmonton Elks have released offensive lineman Jacob Ruby for breaching the team's COVID-19 protocols.

The Elks announced Ruby's release Tuesday, the last day of the team's 10-day isolation period for Tier 1 players, coaches and staff following an outbreak of COVID-19 among players.

The team did not say what Ruby had done, but said in a statement that the move was part of the club's "ongoing commitment to strictly following the CFL's COVID protocols."

On Monday, the team announced that football fans in Edmonton will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or show proof of a negative test before attending games at Commonwealth Stadium.

Ruby signed with Edmonton in 2017 after breaking into the CFL with the Montreal Alouettes in 2015.

The Elks have been in isolation since the onset of a COVID-19 outbreak that affected 13 players. The outbreak led to the postponement of the Elks' Aug. 26 game against the Argonauts in Toronto.

In a separate news release Tuesday, the club said it intends to return to team activities on the field on Wednesday, following five consecutive days where testing has not turned up any new cases of COVID-19.

Team members, including coaches, players and staff, will get one more COVID-19 test on Tuesday.

"Barring any positive tests, the team will be together on Wednesday for team meetings, and a walk through," said the release.

The first full practice will be on Thursday, and the team's next game — its first in more than two weeks  — is Sept. 6 against Calgary.