American linebacker Darnell Sankey has been granted his release from the XFL and is looking to return north of the border. The first to report was TSN’s Farhan Lalji.
Per source, Sankey has already received two contract offers from CFL teams. He won’t sign a deal until the midway point of the NFL preseason later this month in case a team down south decides to bring him in for training camp. If an NFL deal doesn’t materialize, he is planning to make his return to the CFL.
The 28-year-old set a new franchise record with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2022 when he recorded 120 defensive tackles. He also made two special teams tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles, and one interception. He turned down a contract extension with the team this past off-season before signing a deal with the XFL.
The six-foot-one, 245-pound defender played his first CFL season with the Calgary Stampeders in 2021 and made 98 total tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble. He was named a West Division all-star.
Sankey played for the Arlington Renegades this past season, recording 47 total tackles and one sack. He helped the team finish second in the South Division with a 4-6 record before going on an undefeated postseason run, culminating in a 35-26 win over the DC Defenders in the XFL Championship Game.
