T.J. Lee highlights four impactful returnees for B.C. Lions in Edmonton

Photo courtesy: Logan Taylor/B.C. Lions

The B.C. Lions will get four impactful players back from injury on Friday night in Edmonton, including a pair of defensive starters.

Veteran halfback T.J. Lee is the most notable reinsertion, after the 35-year-old missed the past two weeks with a calf injury. The longest-serving Lion had recorded 11 defensive tackles in two games prior to the injury and will retake his place to the boundary, forcing a reshuffle in the secondary.

Deontai Williams will return to nickel, with Jackson Findlay rotating back to safety and Josh Hagerty bumping out of the starting lineup. American rookie Tyson Russell has been demoted to the practice roster, while Canadian veteran Patrice Rene has been placed on the one-game injured list with a thigh issue.

Along the defensive line, Levi Bell returns to his starting spot opposite Mathieu Betts after missing the last game with a hip injury. The 26-year-old has been credited with five defensive tackles and one sack through three games. His addition forces Colby Taylor back onto the practice roster.

Canadian linebacker Ben Hladik is also back from an ankle injury, though American rookie Parker McKenna continues to be listed as the starter at weakside linebacker after amassing seven defensive tackles and two forced fumbles in the last matchup with Edmonton. 2026 CFL Draft pick Chase Henning has been returned to the practice roster.

Canadian receiver Kieran Poissant will make his return on offence from a hip injury, but has been listed as a backup. Fellow National pass catchers Hergy Mayala and Nick Cenacle will continue to start after coming into the lineup due to the injuries to Poissant and others.

The B.C. Lions (1-3) will visit the Edmonton Elks (4-1) at Commonwealth Stadium on Friday, July 17, with kickoff scheduled for 9:00 p.m. EDT. The Lions are coming off a bye week, while the Elks dominated the Ottawa Redblacks in a 40-17 win at home.

The weather forecast in Edmonton calls for a high of 29 degrees and sun. The game will be broadcast on TSN and RDS2 in Canada and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune in on 730 CKNW (English) or Sher-E-Punjab Radio AM 600 (Punjabi) in Vancouver or 880 CHED in Edmonton.

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