Amerson became a free agent after the 1998 season but expressed a strong desire to continue playing for the Tiger-Cats. Hamilton re-signed Amerson to a one-year contract worth approximately $50,000 in late March with a team option for an additional year. Amerson spent time practicing as a punt returner during training camp despite not having returned a punt since high school. In the regular season opener, Amerson returned a punt 42 yards to set up a touchdown drive. In the second game of the season, Amerson suffered a knee injury which forced him to miss several games. He returned in mid-August, catching a touchdown in his first game back against the Montreal Alouettes. In a September rematch against the Alouettes, Amerson caught a career-high eight receptions.