B.C. Lions sign free agents Robertson Prukop and Harty to one-year deals

VANCOUVER – The B.C. Lions didn’t waste any time trying to fill the void created by the departure of all-star defensive lineman Mathieu Betts.

Betts, the CFL’s top defensive player last season, signed with the NFL’s Detroit Lions on Tuesday, the first day of CFL free agency. Betts posted a league-best 18 sacks last season, the most ever in a single campaign by a Canadian.

On Tuesday night, the Lions signed American defensive lineman Pete Robertson to a one-year contract. The 31-year-old Robertson spent the last three seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, registering 86 tackles, 21 sacks and six forced fumbles in 42 regular-season games.

He had nine sacks in 2022, leaving him tied for fourth in the CFL that season.

Earlier, the Lions signed American quarterback Dakota Prukop and Canadian receiver Jake Harty to one-year contracts.

The signing of Prukop fills a need for the Lions as veteran backup Dane Evans retired following the 2023 season. Veteran Vernon Adams Jr. remains the club’s starter.

“Sometimes it’s tough to talk to these guys about being Number 2 when they want to be Number 1 or Number 1 B,” Neil McEvoy, the Lions co-GM and football operations director, said recently. “Vernon is our quarterback, Vernon is our guy.

“We’re excited about Big Play VA coming back. There is no 1B. There’s two or three.”

Prukop, 30, spent the last two seasons with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers predominantly as a short-yardage specialist. He ran for 397 yards and 13 touchdowns on 111 carries while registering 11 completions for 209 yards and two TDs.

Prukop began his CFL career with the Toronto Argonauts in 2017 and also spent time with the Calgary Stampeders and Edmonton Elks before joining the Bombers.

Harty, 32, appeared in 14 regular-season games last season with the Grey Cup-champion Montreal Alouettes. He had four catches for 36 yards while also registering eight special-teams tackles.

Harty, a Calgary native, began his CFL career with the Ottawa Redblacks (2015-17) while also spending time with the Saskatchewan Roughriders (2018-19, 2021-22) before joining Montreal last season.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 13, 2024.