B.C. Lions sign QB Davis, OL Couture as CFL free agency opens

By Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press on February 14, 2023.

SURREY, B.C. – The B.C. Lions signed free agent quarterback Dominique Davis to a one-year deal.

The team announced the news Tuesday as the CFL’s free agency period officially opened.

Davis spent last season with the Montreal Alouettes, connecting on 19-of-25 pass attempts for 253 yards and three touchdowns. The 33-year-old from Lakeland, Fla., added 163 rushing yards with another 13 TDs.

The six-foot-four, 215-pound East Carolina alumnus has played 106 CFL games, splitting his time between the Als, the Ottawa Redblacks and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

B.C. locked up Vernon Adams Jr. on Feb. 8, signing the veteran QB to an extension through the 2024 season.

Earlier Tuesday, the Lions announced they had signed free agent offensive lineman Michael Couture to a two-year contract.

Couture, 29, was drafted 10th overall by Winnipeg in 2016 and spent six seasons playing for the Blue Bombers, winning Grey Cups in 2019 and 2021.

An arm injury limited him to seven regular-season games last year, but the six-foot-four, 307-pound lineman returned to help the Bombers to their third straight championship appearance.

The native of Burnaby, B.C., played his college football at Simon Fraser University and was coached by Kelly Bates, the Lions’ offensive line coach, in 2015.

“I’m very excited for the opportunity to live out my childhood dream of suiting up for the BC Lions,” Couture said in a release. “This team is headed in the right direction and I’m ready to help take the next step towards bringing a Grey Cup home to B.C.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 14, 2023.

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