The B.C. Lions will be without a key element on both sides of the ball when the team takes on the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday, as both starting running back James Butler and cornerback Delvin Breaux have been added to the one-game injured list.
Butler has emerged as one of the CFL’s top backfield threats in his second season with the Lions, rushing for 433 yards and three touchdowns on 97 carries. He has also been an important outlet for quarterback Nathan Rourke in the passing game, collecting 30 receptions for 218 yards and three more scores.
In his absence, B.C. has turned to Bruce Anderson II to make the start. The five-foot-eleven, 210-pound ball carrier suited up in three games with the Edmonton Elks in 2021 and returned seven punts for 170 yards.
Anderson III played at North Dakota State for four seasons (2015-18) and helped the program capture three NCAA Division I FCS national titles. He rushed for 2,896 yards and 24 touchdowns on 486 total carries while adding 32 receptions for 448 yards and seven majors. The versatile ball carrier also led the team in kickoff return yards in two of his seasons and was a twice named FCS All-American.
Breaux, the former CFL all-star with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and starter with the New Orleans Saints, was listed as questionable with a hand injury and has since been downgraded to out. It is his second game missed to injury this season.
In his first season with the Lions, Breaux has played in six games and made 16 defensive tackles, forcing a fumble last week against Edmonton. He will be replaced by second-year backup Jalon Edwards-Cooper.
The team will also be without rookie safety Quincy Mauger due to a groin issue. The team has rolled versatile defender Loucheiz Purifoy back to his position and will start the inexperienced Emmanuel Rugamba at strong-side linebacker.
