The B.C. Lions will have an unfamiliar face at running back when they take on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Friday.
Starting ball-carrier Taquan Mizzell (ribs) has been placed on the one-game injured list after failing to practice this week. In 14 games this season, the 29-year-old has rushed 157 times for 773 yards and three touchdowns while adding 41 receptions for 291 yards and two more scores.
While practice roster back Shaun Shivers got the call the last time that Mizzell was unavailable, this time the Lions have elected to elevate JaQuan Hardy. The five-foot-eight, 225-pound bruiser has been on and off the team’s practice roster since August 8 and will be making his CFL debut.
Hardy was a standout at Tiffin University where he rushed for 3,207 yards and 28 touchdowns over 33 career games with the Dragons. He was named the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Athlete of the Year and a first-team All-GMAC in 2019. He signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2021 and played three games, recording four carries for 29 yards and one touchdown.
On the defensive side of the ball, cornerback Jalon Edwards-Cooper (shoulder) has been placed on the six-game injured list. In 14 games, he has registered a career-high 36 defensive tackles to go with an interception and a forced fumble.
Veteran defensive back Mike Jones will step into the void after missing the past several weeks with a foot injury. In 38 career games with Winnipeg and Montreal prior to this season, the 28-year-old had collected 108 defensive tackles, three interceptions and four forced fumbles, but has just four tackles in four games this year.
The Lions (11-5) will visit the Ticats (8-8) on Friday, October 13 at 7:00 p.m. EDT. The two teams met previously in Week 12, with Hamilton pulling out a decisive 30-13 upset on the road.
