New B.C. Lion Josh Donovan given no explanation for Argonauts release despite starter reps

Photo courtesy: Jill Meagher/B.C. Lions

If you have a theory as to why the Toronto Argonauts released Josh Donovan, your guess is as good as his.

The six-foot-six, 330-pound blocker took to the field at B.C. Lions’ training camp for the first time on Monday after a whirlwind few days, still unclear as to how he went from the Double Blue’s projected starter at right tackle to expendable.

“You’ll have to ask them,” he told 3DownNation. “All I know is I was a starter, things didn’t go the way that I wanted or I guess that they wanted, and God put me in this situation.”

Donovan had been in Toronto since September 2025, finishing the year on the practice roster as he made his way back from an injury that ended his tenure in Montreal. Given the team’s difficulties protecting the quarterback, the move seemed to be a long-term plan to shore up the right tackle spot with a proven American starter. The 26-year-old held down the fort for 17 games in his last healthy campaign for the Alouettes.

The early reports from training camp supported offseason speculation that Donovan would enter the starting lineup, as he ran with the top unit through the first three days. Then, he suddenly found himself released ahead of one of the CFL’s second mandatory cutdown deadline, a decision he didn’t see coming and says he was given no explanation for.

“I was not, but I will always trust God’s plan. I’m being where my feet are, and I feel like this is the best place for me,” he said. “It was a surprise, but that’s how life is. Sometimes things don’t go your way. It’s all about how you respond to it.”

The release marked yet another setback after a difficult 2025 season for Donovan, but he is hopeful that new surroundings will revitalize his career. As far as changes of scenery go, there are few more stark than travelling from Argos’ training camp in Guelph to the picturesque vistas of Kamloops, where the Lions reside during the preseason.

“I got in pretty late yesterday, like 1:00 a.m. Woke up and just looked out the window. All I see is mountains and a river,” Donovan grinned. “I’m from Texas, so I love the outdoors. It was a good change for me.”

The Arizona product will need to play catch-up when it comes to the playbook, but he wasn’t shy about getting involved in his first practice with B.C. The Lions continue to roll with four American offensive linemen on the starting unit, which means there are opportunities available at both tackle and guard.

Korey Woodruff, the team’s starting left guard last season, is getting the first crack to fill the void left by departing left tackle Jarell Broxton. Brandon Yates and Chris Schleuger are the favourites to fill the guard spots, while Dejon Allen is pencilled in at right tackle after an injury-plagued 2025 season. The former Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman has been dressed for practices, but hasn’t taken competitive reps while he slowly returns to full strength, with Tyran Hunt filling in for him.

Donovan could be another candidate for that role if Allen’s health issues continue, and the newcomer is eager to learn from a player of his calibre.

“It’s really cool, actually. It’s a strong unit. I think highly of myself, but I always have room to improve, so I look at guys like that as another step stool for me to up my game,” he explained. “And likewise for them as well. If I need to improve on something, I can go to them. If they need improving on something, they can come to me. I feel like we’ve all got enough experience under our belt to all help each other, and that’s the main goal.”

The Lions will play their first preseason game against the Edmonton Elks on Saturday, May 23, in Langford and their second preseason game against the Calgary Stampeders on Friday, May 29. Final roster cuts are due on Saturday, May 30, after which the Lions will play their first regular-season game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Saturday, June 13.