Photo courtesy: Steven Chang/B.C. Lions
The B.C. Lions have released American running back Tony Jones Jr. and American defensive back Donovan ‘D.K.’ Kaufman, the team announced on Monday.
Jones Jr. signed with the Lions in January. He previously dressed for 26 regular-season NFL games as a member of the New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks, and Arizona Cardinals, rushing 97 times for 329 yards, catching 17 passes for 96 yards, and scoring three offensive touchdowns. He earned $2.3 million over the course of his NFL career, according to Spotrac.
The native of St. Petersburg, Fla. was a collegiate standout at the University of Notre Dame, where he rushed for 1,481 yards and 12 touchdowns over 39 games. He also caught 27 passes for 273 yards and two scores.
The five-foot-eleven, 224-pound ball-carrier carried the ball three times for 11 yards in B.C.’s recent preseason loss to the Edmonton Elks.
Kaufman joined the team as a free agent in December. He attended training camp with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2025, though he was released prior to the start of the regular-season.
The five-foot-ten, 210-pound defender began his collegiate career at Vanderbilt in 2020, suiting up in two games and recording 15 total tackles. He transferred to Auburn for the next three seasons and made 107 total tackles, six fumble recoveries, two sacks, and four pass breakups in 32 games.
The native of New Orleans, La. transferred to North Carolina State for his final collegiate season and dressed for 12 games. He made 74 total tackles, one interception, one sack, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and five pass breakups. He also returned 15 kickoffs for 469 yards.
Kaufman made one defensive tackle and one pass knockdown during preseason action against the Elks.
The B.C. Lions opened training camp on May 10. The team lost 34-16 in its first preseason game against the Edmonton Elks. B.C. will play its second preseason game against the Calgary Stampeders on Friday, May 29. Final roster cuts are due on Saturday, May 30, after which the Lions will play its first regular-season game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Saturday, June 13.
B.C. recently selected North Dakota receiver Nate DeMontagnac with their first-round pick in the 2026 CFL Draft, adding to a group of Canadian targets that already included Justin McInnis and Jevon Cottoy. The team’s other major offseason additions include defensive lineman Casey Sayles and linebacker Darnell Sankey.
In 2025, the Lions finished second in the West Division standings with an 11-7 record. They beat the Calgary Stampeders in the West Semi-Final but lost the West Final to the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Franchise quarterback Nathan Rourke threw for 5,290 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions to be named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player.
