Hamilton Tiger-Cats sign former NFL linebacker Vi Jones

Photo: Saskatchewan Roughriders. Photo edit: 3DownNation.

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have signed American linebacker Vi Jones, the team announced on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old attended training camp with the Saskatchewan Roughriders earlier this year, recording two defensive tackles, two special teams tackles, and one interception over two preseason games.

The six-foot-two, 225-pound defender with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2022 and appeared in three games as a rookie.

He subsequently spent time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, recording two forced fumbles and nine defensive tackles in seven games in 2024.

The Austin, Texas native joined the Cardinals for training camp in 2025 and registered 10 tackles in three preseason games, though he was cut among Arizona’s final roster moves.

Jones earned over $1 million USD while playing in the NFL.

ollegiately, Jones played for the University of Southern California (2017-2018) then transferred to North Carolina State in 2019. As a senior in 2021, he had 45 tackles, including eight for loss, 12 quarterback hurries, six sacks, and one blocked kick in 12 games.

In 2020, Jones blocked three kicks, tying him for the NCAA FBS lead, and started four games at weak-side linebacker. He was a co-recipient of the Wolfpack’s Special Teams Player of the Year award  for 2020 and made 28 total tackles in 21 games over two seasons.

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats (4-6) will visit the Toronto Argonauts (4-5) at BMO Field on Saturday, August 22 with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EDT. The Tiger-Cats are coming off a 26-19 upset win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders, while the Argonauts got blown out by the Edmonton Elks by a score of 42-12.

The weather forecast in Toronto calls for a high of 23 degrees and a 40 percent chance of rain. The game will be broadcast on TSN in Canada, CBS Sports Network in the United States, and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune-in on the Ticats Audio Network in Hamilton or TSN 1050 in Toronto.