Lions Trim Roster – Mayala Released

The BC Lions trimmed their roster to comply with the mandated league cutdowns Saturday evening, and there were a few surprise casualties.

Among those who were released was national receiver, Hergy Mayla who had a strong training camp and preseason, seeing a lot of time with the ones in Kamloops. Unfortunately for him, the Lions drafted two young Canadian receivers who also showed well and Kieran Poissant has demonstrated he’s taken the steps necessary in the off-season to play a bigger role. Both Nate Demontagnac and Nick Cenacle made the roster.

Another name that might be a surprise to Lions fans is the release of Jeremy Lewis. The American linebacker, who impressed in camp last year, took a small step backwards this year, and was surpassed by newcomers Ralen Goforth and Parker McKenna. McKenna lands on the roster, while Gorforth has a accepted a role on the practice roster. Lewis didn’t have a horrible camp or preseason, but it wasn’t as good as the two we just mentioned.

No surprises on the quarterback front. Kaidon Salter cemented the QB3 spot with a strong performance in Winnipeg, and the club released Jarret Doege.

Running back Emani Bailey, who was the most used and most productive running back in the pre-season also accepted a practice roster spot. He may prove to be a valuable insurance piece if James Butler or Zander Horvath need to miss any time.

On the special teams front, another slight surprise was the release of Jaelon Darden, who put in some nice work on returns. However it appears the Lions like what Silas Bolden brings a little more, and still have the option of Seven McGee as a returner, so they went with that combo instead.

The Lions also have three kickers on the roster. PK Mark McNamee was kept on the active roster along with Sean Whyte and Carl Meyer. It will be interesting to see how the Lions manage that. McNamee has a strong leg, and this could be an acknowledgement the team has found the heir apparent to Whyte, and that longer field goal tries are going to be needed sooner than later.

Here is the Lions roster as it stands today: https://www.bclions.com/roster/. Of note, the 1 game injured list has not been released. The Lions have some time there with the bye week coming up, No other players joined DB Cristophe Beaulieu, OL Joshua Coker and DL Tomasi Laulile on the 6 game.

Here is the full list of Lions cuts and practice roster additions:

Added to the practice roster:

American running back Emani Bailey
National offensive lineman Alex Berwick
American wide receiver Silas Bolden
American defensive lineman T.J. Burke
American linebacker Ralen Goforth
American defensive lineman David Gusta
National linebacker Chase Henning
National linebacker Dawson Pierre
American defensive lineman Colby Taylor
American defensive back Stantley Thomas-Oliver
American offensive lineman Tyran Hunt
American wide receiver Jaden Williams

Released from the roster:

American defensive lineman Mayan Ahanotu
American defensive back Essang Bassey
American defensive back Tyler Coyle
American wide receiver Jaelon Darden
National defensive lineman Ebenezer Dibula
American quarterback Jarret Doege
American wide receiver Michael Fitzgerald
National offensive lineman Ethan Graham
American wide receiver Jermaine Jackson
American defensive back Lorando Johnson
American linebacker Jeremy Lewis
National wide receiver Hergy Mayala
American defensive back Morice Norris
American offensive lineman Christian Olmstead
American defensive lineman AJ Pena
American wide receiver Kaedin Robinson
American defensive back Dionte Ruffin