Canadian defensive end Mathieu Betts is fresh off the plane from Motor City and back in the B.C. Lions’ lineup, as the 29-year-old is expected to start Saturday in Victoria for the inaugural Touchdown Pacific game.
Betts was re-signed on Wednesday after spending training camp with the NFL’s Lions, producing two solo tackles and one sack over three preseason games in Detroit. He arrived on Vancouver Island on Thursday and will be counted upon to inject some pass rush into a B.C. defence that is on a five-game losing skid.
The native of Montreal, Que. had the best year of his career in 2023 with the Lions when he made 42 defensive tackles, 18 sacks and four forced fumbles. He broke Brett Johnson’s CFL record for single-season sacks by a Canadian player and was named the league’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player.
Through 55 CFL games with Edmonton and B.C., Betts has made 81 tackles, 27 sacks, five forced fumbles, and four special teams tackles.
It isn’t all good news along the defensive line, however, as Global defensive tackle Tibo Debaillie (lower back) has been placed on the six-game injured list. Canadian defensive end Josh Archibald (shoulder), who is second on the team with four sacks this year, also won’t be available after going on the one-game injured list.
Elsewhere on defence, Canadian linebacker Ben Hladik (calf) is back on the one-game injured list after he was a late scratch last week. American Ace Eley will continue to start in his place at middle linebacker.
The secondary will also be reshuffled, with T.J. Lee moving to strong-side linebacker and Emmanuel Rugamba swapping to his spot at boundary halfback. Canadian Adrian Greene returns to his natural safety position, knocking Patrice Rene out of the starting lineup, and Ronald Kent Jr. comes off the practice roster to play field halfback. Backup Jordan Perryman (hamstring) has been placed on the one-game injured list.
Offensively, Vernon Adams Jr. will not dress but remains listed as the third-string quarterback behind Nathan Rourke and Chase Brice. Canadian receiver Kieran Poissant, who played junior football for the Westshore Rebels in Victoria, will dress as insurance, while Global kicker Carl Meyer is also in the lineup.
The Lions (5-6) will host the Ottawa Redblacks (7-2-1) in Victoria, B.C. on Saturday, August 31 at 7:00 p.m. EDT.
