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The B.C. Lions have signed former Montreal Alouettes linebacker Darnell Sankey.

Sankey spent the last three seasons with the Montreal Alouettes, where he registered 239 defensive tackles, four sacks, a pair of interceptions and five forced fumbles in 41 regular-season games. He won a Grey Cup in his first season with the Als and was an East Division All-CFL selection in 2024 and 2025, but was released last week amidst a ratio change in Montreal.

“Darnell is a proven impact player in this league.  He will improve our linebacker room and bring the grit and toughness we’re looking for on our defence,” general manager Ryan Rigmaiden said in a statement.

Sankey previously spent time with the Calgary Stampeders and Saskatchewan Roughriders. In 74 career CFL games, he has recorded 456 defensive tackles, eight sacks, three interceptions, three forced fumbles, and received three all-star selections. He joined the Alouettes late in 2023 after winning a championship in the XFL with the Arlington Renegades. 

Before moving to Canada, Sankey suited up in six regular-season games with the Indianapolis Colts in 2017 and had stints in Denver, Oakland, Kansas City, Baltimore and Detroit between 2016 and 2020.

He attended Sacramento State from 2012 to 2015, recording 330 total tackles, 27.5 tackles for a loss, 12.5 sacks, 10 pass knockdowns, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and an interception. As a senior, Sankey earned first-team All-Big Sky honours.

The B.C. Lions finished second in the West Division standings in 2025 with an 11-7 record and beat the Calgary Stampeders in the West Semi-Final before losing the West Final to the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Nathan Rourke threw for 5,290 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions over 16 regular-season starts, posting an 11-5 record. He was also named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player.

The Lions ranked first in net offence, fourth in net defence, and sixth with a turnover differential of minus-four. James Butler rushed for 1,213 yards, Keon Hatcher led the CFL with 1,688 receiving yards, and Micah Awe led the league with 117 tackles. B.C. finished third in attendance with average crowds of 27,124, which was a 0.9 percent increase from the previous year.