The B.C. Lions will be short bodies in the middle of their defence for their highly anticipated clash against the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Defensive tackle Josh Banks (hamstring) has been placed on the one-game injured list, while valuable Global rotational player Tibo Debaillie (chest) will spend time on the six-game injured list.
The six-foot-four, 290-pound Banks has notched just two tackles through five games, though he remains one of the CFL’s most underrated players. His pass rush win rate of 18.2 percent this season is the highest among qualifying interior players according to Pro Football Focus. The six-foot-two, 285-pound Debaillie has a similarly unheralded role, making one tackle and recovering a fumble for a touchdown this year.
Incumbent Marcus Moore will start ahead of Canadian NFL veteran Christian Covington in the interior, while rookie American Jonah Tavai will make his first CFL start. The younger brother of former CFL defensive end J.R. Tavai and NFL second-round pick Jahlani Tavai was named a first-team All-American by both Pro Football Focus and Bleacher Report in 2022 after notching 10.5 sacks as a senior at San Diego State.
Offensively, Canadian receiver Jevon Cottoy (ribs) will be a game-time decision after missing the full week of practice. The six-foot-five, 230-pound target has caught nine passes for 133 yards this year. It is unclear who would replace him if he was unable to dress, though fellow CJFL standout Kieran Poissant is the Canadian backup on the roster. Rookie Canadian Ezechiel Tieide and American Devin Ravenel are the two receivers on the practice roster.
This game will also mark the first career appearance by 2024 first-round pick George Una, who will dress as a seventh offensive lineman after being a healthy scratch for the first five games.
The B.C. Lions (4-1) will host the Saskatchewan Roughriders (4-0) on Saturday, July 13 at 7:00 p.m. EDT.
