Scott Coe, left, shown in this 2007 photo with Calgary, could help the Eskimos at middle and outside linebacker, as well as play on every special teams unit. Scott Coe, left, shown in this 2007 photo with Calgary, could help the Eskimos at middle and outside linebacker, as well as play on every special teams unit. (Jason Scott/Canadian Press)

A starter for most of his first six years in the Canadian Football League, linebacker Scott Coe might have to be a little more patient this season.

The Edmonton Eskimos, seeking some depth for their banged-up roster, signed the free-agent non-import on Tuesday.

Coe, 28, returns to the league four months after the Calgary Stampeders released him following an injury-riddled 2007 campaign.

The six-foot-three, 229-pounder has been medically cleared to play — Coe suffered a knee injury late last season — but may have simply been added to the Eskimos' roster as injury insurance.

"We are just trying to stay ahead of the game with our depth," Edmonton head coach Danny Maciocia told reporters.

Maciocia wanted to ease any thoughts by fans who may have wondered if middle linebacker Agustin Barrenechea, also a non-import, was in jeopardy of losing his starting job.

Coe is 'very, very smart': Esks defensive back

But according to Sun Media, Coe will be placed on the Eskimos' 46-man roster for Friday's matchup at Vancouver against the B.C. Lions (7:30 p.m. PT).

Calgary is light on non-import starters, thanks in part to significant injuries to defensive lineman Adam Braidwood and offensive lineman Dan Comiskey.

Coe, who posted 57 defensive tackles in 16 games a year ago, can provide depth at middle and outside linebacker, as well as play on every special teams unit.

"Scott is very, very smart. Any time you play under [former Calgary defensive co-ordinator] Denny Creehan, you definitely have to have brains in terms of being able to play [with] multiple calls [from the sidelines]," said Eskimos defensive back Trey Young, who played with Coe in Calgary last season.

Veteran Edmonton quarterback Ricky Ray is another player happy to see Coe sporting a green-and-gold jersey.

"Scott Coe had our number in some of those [past] games. He has given me a few licks," Ray said.

The Eskimos, coming off a 35-24 win over B.C. last Thursday, are second to the Saskatchewan Roughriders (6-0) with a 4-2 record in the West Division.