The B.C. Lions are getting a boost on both sides of the ball for their matchup with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Saturday.
Pass-rushing defensive tackle Woody Baron (adductor) is back on the roster this week and will resume his starting spot in the rotation. The 30-year-old has made eight defensive tackles and three sacks this season, earning the fifth-highest grade from ProFootballFocus at the position.
Left tackle Jarell Broxton (knee) has also returned to the line-up. The Baylor product started the first nine games of the season and was having a breakout campaign, well on his way to a first all-star selection at 30 years old. In his absence last week, Vernon Adams Jr. was sacked five times and found himself under significant pressure while battling a leg injury.
As a result, offensive lineman Chris Schleuger and defensive back Mike Jones will be healthy scratches.
Unfortunately, it’s not all good news for the Lions this week as Canadian defensive tackle Nathan Cherry will miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury. That opens the door for 2023 first-round pick Francis Bemiy to make his CFL debut along the defensive line.
The six-foot-three, 270-pound defensive lineman played 49 games at Southern Utah (2018-22) where he made 163 total tackles, 38.5 tackles for a loss, 13 sacks, three fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble.
Remaining on the six-game injured list for this week are receiver Dominique Rhymes, running back Kienan LaFrance, linebacker Isaiah Guzylak-Messam and offensive lineman Phil Norman.
The Lions (7-3) will host the Ticats (3-7) on Saturday, August 26. It is the first of two meetings between the two franchises, with each looking to avenge a poor loss last week.
