The Edmonton Elks have brought back veteran defensive end A.C. Leonard after an eight-month absence.
The 32-year-old has been a free agent since February when he was not re-signed by Edmonton following a single-season career-high 12 sacks in 2023. Leonard later hinted at retirement in a cryptic social media post, but never formally stepped away from the game.
The six-foot-two, 250-pound defender has played 101 regular season CFL games as a member of the B.C. Lions, Saskatchewan Roughriders, Ottawa Redblacks, and Elks. He made 278 defensive tackles, 51 sacks, eight forced fumbles, three special teams tackles, and one interception after converting to the defensive line with the Riders in 2016.
The native of Palatka, Fla. led the CFL in sacks during the shortened 2021 season, recording 11 in 11 games. He was suspended for two games that year after failing to provide a sample for drug testing following the Labour Day Classic on Sept. 5. An additional one-game suspension was levied the following week for “verbal abuse and unacceptable behaviour” towards doping control officers.
Leonard broke into the CFL with the B.C. Lions in 2015 as a tight end after spending the previous season with the Minnesota Vikings. Leonard played two seasons at Tennessee State University as a receiver, where he registered 1,174 yards and 11 touchdowns on 85 receptions.
The Edmonton Elks (5-8) will return to action on Saturday, September 21 when they host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (7-6) at 7:00 p.m. EDT.
