C.R. Titans re-sign Jordan Cotton, trade Carl Sims

CEDAR RAPIDS - Jordan Cotton is getting another shot.

The Cedar Rapids Titans announced Wednesday the re-signing of the former Iowa receiver/kick returner to an Indoor Football League contract.

Cotton, 24, played at Iowa from 2009-13 before joining the Titans last month for training camp.

Cotton played in the Feb. 13 exhibition victory over the Nebraska Danger, returning a kickoff 54 yards for a touchdown. He also saw some time at receiver.

Cotton was given his release by the club on Feb. 23. His return gives the Titans another option at both kick returner and receiver.

To make room on the roster, the club traded third-year receiver Carl Sims to the Billings Wolves for future considerations. The trade reunites Sims with Billings and its coach Chris Dixon, who played with Sims with the old Billings Outlaws from 2010-12. Sims is the Titans all-time leading receiver with 109 catches for 1,533 yards and 36 touchdowns. Sims had nine grabs for 141 yards and a score in four games this season.

Sims is the second productive receiver to be traded by Cedar Rapids this season. J.J. Hayes, who had 39 receptions for 451 yards and 10 scores in 2013, was shipped to Wichita Falls right after the exhibition game.

The moves leave the Titans with four receivers on the roster - IFL reception and receiving touchdown leader Bryan Pray (19 catches, seven TDs), Willie Carter (144 yards, four TDs), former Duke receiver Charles Watkins and Cotton.

Cedar Rapids (3-1) hosts the Colorado Ice (1-1) Saturday at the U.S. Cellular Center.

Kickoff is at 7:05 p.m.

l Comments: douglas.miles@thegazette.com