B.C. Lions bring back Robert Carter Jr. after Indianapolis Colts release

Photo courtesy: Paul Yates/B.C. Lions

The B.C. Lions have brought back American defensive back Robert Carter Jr. 3DownNation broke the news, which has since been announced by the team.

Carter spent training camp with the Indianapolis Colts and initially made the team’s practice roster, but was released last week. Across three NFL preseason contests, he recorded 13 total tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, and a pass breakup.

The 23-year-old started all 18 games for B.C. in 2025, earning the team’s nomination for Most Outstanding Rookie. He recorded 51 defensive tackles, five interceptions, one forced fumble, and a defensive touchdown. Carter also started both of the team’s playoff games, adding a 95-yard kickoff return touchdown in the West Semi-Final.

The five-foot-ten, 175-pound cornerback quickly earned a reputation for generating spectacular plays, including a leaping, one-handed interception that made highlight reels on both sides of the border and was widely regarded as the CFL play of the year.

Prior to signing with the Lions, Carter attended Robert Morris University, where he was a second-team All-Conference selection as a senior in 2024. In two seasons with the Colonials, he amassed 66 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, two sacks, 14 pass breakups, five interceptions, and two blocked kicks, while returning 22 kicks for 588 yards and one touchdown.

The native of Danville, Va. transferred from UVA-Wise, where he produced 74 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss, 17 pass breakups, seven interceptions and one fumble recovery in two seasons. Carter also returned 31 kickoffs for 660 yards and one touchdown for the Division II program.

There was one year remaining on Carter’s contract with B.C. prior to his departure for the NFL, which meant that the club held his exclusive CFL rights through the end of this season. He will be a free agent in February, with a chance to earn another NFL opportunity or maximize his CFL value on the open market.

The Lions are in desperate need of help in the secondary, with Garry Peters and C.J. Coldon both on the six-game injured list, and Ronald Kent Jr. and Josh Hagerty each serving suspensions. Carter could be an option to dress as early as this week.

The B.C. Lions (7-6) will host the Saskatchewan Roughriders (8-5) on Friday, September 25, with kickoff scheduled for 10:30 p.m. EDT. Both teams were on bye this past week.

The game will be broadcast on TSN in Canada and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune in on 620 CKRM in Regina or 730 CKNW (English) or Sher-E-Punjab Radio AM 600 (Punjabi) in Vancouver.