BC Lions linebacker Josh Woods suffered a season-ending knee injury

SURREY, BC — A key defensive weapon for the BC Lions has had his season cut short by a knee injury.

Head coach and co-general manager Rick Campbell confirmed Wednesday that linebacker Josh Woods is done for the year. The 26-year-old from Ontario, Calif., went down in the first half of BC’s win over the Edmonton Elks on Thursday and had to be carried off the field.

“He’s going to need knee surgery and he’s going to be out for a year,” Campbell said at the team’s practice facility in Surrey, B.C. “We’re going to give him our full support. And he’ll be around, rehabbing and doing his thing, contributing in any way he can. We will absolutely miss him.”

Woods posted on social media saying there was “no mercy or sympathy” needed.

“I am calm and motivated,” he wrote. “I’ve been through this before and I know I can do it again.”

The 6-foot-2, 234-pounder had a strong start to the campaign, recording 22 total tackles in BC’s first three games of the season. He ranks among the top 10 CFL players in that category so far this year.

The Lions won’t be able to completely fill Woods’ void in the lineup, Campbell said, but his teammates will come together to keep the defense strong.

“We’re very fortunate to have a lot of veteran linebackers here and guys who have played a lot of football,” he said. “All those guys are guys that have been around the block and know how to play, so they’re going to carry the load for us.”

One player who will miss having Woods on the field is BC linebacker Ben Hladik. Both started with the Lions in 2021 and have steadily worked their way up the depth chart over the past three seasons.

“We’ve been waiting to play together for three years,” Hladik said. “We kind of met in freshman year and now we had the opportunity. But it will be back next year. We’ll get another chance to do it, hopefully.”

Hladik leads the Lions with 27 total tackles, including three for a loss. He also had a key interception in BC’s 26-17 win over the Calgary Stampeders on June 15.

The 25-year-old Canadian credits Woods with helping him find another level in his game.

“He sets the tone there,” said the 6-foot-4, 235-pound Hladik. “I see him do it and I just want to do it too. I just want to be more physical when I physically see him there.”

The defense has been a big part of the Lions’ early season success.

BC gave up an average of 343 offensive yards per game, second fewest in the CFL behind the undefeated Montreal Alouettes (332).

The defensive corps has had a knack for making plays all year, Lions quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. said.

“They’re all together, they’re communicating on the field. They’re aligned correctly and they’re doing what they need to do,” he said. “They’re just doing what they’re supposed to do, they’re getting the ball back and giving us the opportunity to go down and score with the ball. So the defense is calling.”

The Lions will look to extend their three-game winning streak on Sunday when they visit the Tiger-Cats (0-4) in Hamilton.

The Ticats are a team with a lot of veteran players in the secondary who know how to confuse quarterbacks, Adams said.

“It’s a good team, man,” he said. “Whatever their record is, it doesn’t matter. They’ve been in every game they’ve played.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on July 3, 2024.

Gemma Karstens-Smith, Canadian Press