B.C. Lions release veteran DL Woody Baron prior to offseason roster bonus

Photo courtesy: David Friederich/BC Lions

The B.C. Lions have released veteran defensive lineman Woody Baron, per sources.

The 30-year-old had a $30,000 offseason roster bonus due on February 14. That was part of a contract that could have made him around $150,000 in 2024.

The six-foot-one, 270-pounder played 17 games in 2023, recording 22 tackles, eight sacks and one forced fumble. He initially joined the Lions in 2022 but suffered a pre-season ankle injury that limited him to playing just the final six regular season games, recording seven defensive tackles and one sack.

The Lions recently brought back defensive tackle Steven Richardson on a team-friendly deal after the two-time Grey Cup champion briefly retired after back-to-back Achilles tears. Plans for a stouter defensive interior led by Richardson, along with a rotation of Josh Banks, Nathan Cherry and Tibo Debaillie, made Baron expendable due to his comparatively high cost.

Prior to arriving in Vancouver, Baron spent his first three CFL seasons with the Montreal Alouettes. He recorded 71 defensive tackles, 11 sacks and one forced fumble in 50 regular season games.

The Virginia Tech product recorded 98 combined tackles, nine sacks and a pair of forced fumbles in four NCAA seasons with the Hokies. He attended 2017 training camp with the Dallas Cowboys.

Through 73 games in Canada, the Chicago native has made 100 tackles, 20 sacks and two forced fumbles.

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