Jake Dolegala will make his first start at quarterback for the B.C. Lions on Sunday.
The six-foot-seven, 242-pound passer joined the Lions in free agency this offseason after starting nine games for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2023. He completed 64.8 percent of his pass attempts for 2,641 yards, 11 touchdowns, and nine interceptions, going 2-7 as a starter after supplanting Mason Fine following a season-ending leg injury to Trevor Harris.
Dolegala will take over under centre after Vernon Adams Jr. went down with a right knee injury in their Week 9 loss to Winnipeg. The 32-year-old is expected to be out ‘week-to-week’ but remains on the active roster as the third quarterback to comply with CFL rules. He has completed 167-of-259 passes for 2,469 yards, 14 touchdowns, and six interceptions in eight games, adding 167 rushing yards and two scores on the ground.
Defensively, the Lions will have a couple of notable names back in the lineup, including defensive back Emmanuel Rugamba. After compiling 23 defensive tackles in six games at boundary halfback, the third-year pro will return to the strong-side linebacker spot he held in 2023 and bump Canadian Patrice Rene to a backup role.
Global defensive tackle Tibo Debaillie is also back in action after a chest injury, as Canadian Nathan Cherry (undisclosed) returns to the six-game injured list after just one week of live action. Rookie American defensive end Julian Falaniko will dress as a replacement for Amir Siddiqi (knee), who also heads to the six-game. Linebacker Jackson Taylor has been demoted to the practice squad.
Canadian receiver Jevon Cottoy makes his own return on the offensive side of the ball but will not get the start, listed behind American Ayden Eberhardt on the depth chart. Fellow CJFL product Kieran Poissant goes back to the practice roster as a result.
The B.C. Lions (5-3) will visit the Edmonton Elks (1-7) on Sunday, August 11 at 7:00 p.m. EDT.
