The BC Lions are betting Keon Hatcher might be accessible for a Gray Cup run in 2024 — and past — when he recovers from ‘catastrophic’ Achilles damage.
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If it’s of venture on the B.C. Lions’ one yard line, they don’t suppose it’s an extended shot.
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The CFL workforce got here to phrases with pending free agent Keon Hatcher this week, signing the top-tier pass-catcher to a three-year contract by way of 2026. This, regardless of the data he’ll miss half the 2024 season to damage, a season after lacking coaching camp and the primary three video games of 2023 to a different.
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To place it in blackjack phrases, Lions director of participant personnel Neil McEvoy was requested, is that this the equal of getting a 16 and the supplier has a 4? And are you hitting?
“Personally, I’d stand,” McEvoy mentioned with amusing. “However I’d say (on this scenario) we’ve got an 18 and the supplier has a 4, and we’re standing pat. Or we’ve got an 11 and the supplier has a 4, and we’re hitting.”
From virtually each angle, it’s a great wager. And the percentages are that everybody will come out with a hen dinner.
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Hatcher, 29, completed second in receiving yards (with a career-high 1,226) to Hamilton’s Tim White final season, pulling in six touchdowns alongside the best way. And this got here after a foot damage meant he didn’t make his debut till Week 4 towards Toronto, when he set the tone with an eight-catch, 104-yard, one landing efficiency.
He missed only one extra regular-season recreation to damage — getting scratched in warm-ups after aggravating a hamstring pressure that had dogged him for weeks — earlier than having one other incandescent return, torching the Calgary Stampeders for 195 yards and a landing within the West Semifinal.
However two offensive performs into the divisional championship recreation towards Winnipeg, Hatcher went down working his route, and limped closely to the sidelines.
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“I instantly knew what occurred,” he mentioned Tuesday. “For the time being, it felt unreal. It felt like I used to be in a film, simply because just like the setting, the timing, like ‘Ain’t no approach this simply occurred.’”
This film isn’t over by an extended shot. It’s identical to the primary chapter of a Zack Snyder administrators’ lower. Hatcher’s aiming for a return to the sphere by Week 10’s journey to Edmonton on the early aspect, or Week 13 when the Lions host Ottawa in Victoria, and has set a private objective to crack 1,000 yards within the last 10 video games. He averaged a CFL-high 81.7 per recreation in 2024.
“The Achilles might be the hardest damage you might get enjoying the game that we play — or any sport,” he mentioned. “I used to be simply shocked (when it occurred) … however I’ve been good. Mentally I’ve been actually good, truly. I really feel like I’ve taken it rather well. I’m excited for the journey on the best way again. I simply really feel like I received a lot constructed up. I’m simply excited for the journey, excited to see what I received, to see how robust I will be mentally on the highway, and simply battle again.
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“It feels good to know that (the workforce is) sticking by my aspect and believes in me. It feels good to have them there, to know that they’ve their confidence and I’m going to bounce again and be the participant I used to be earlier than — and even higher. I simply received to get in that grind mode and be prepared when my time comes.
“It’s a sluggish course of. It’s going to be an extended highway. You must keep locked in. Locked in to the upper energy. Locked into the objective. Locked in with the workforce. Staying centered. That’s the principle objective.”
McEvoy mentioned the choice to signal Hatcher to an extension was a simple one to make, however complicated one to execute. The deal is a backloaded cap-friendly one, and it was Hatcher’s dedication that made the distinction.
The previous Oakland Raiders wideout had surgical procedure within the low season and simply began strolling once more this week, and is critical in his rehab. The Tulsa native has put down roots in Vancouver, marrying fiancée Kiran in November in a quiet ceremony, and makes his low season dwelling right here.
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“He’s considered one of our leaders. He’s one of many guys who has actually stepped up the final couple of years,” mentioned McEvoy. “It takes dedication from Keon, it takes dedication from the membership, and it takes dedication from, finally, (workforce proprietor) Amar (Doman) to maintain good gamers round. It’s a dedication to the sensation that there’s a future for him with us.
“Keon’s (2024 season) is but to be decided. That’s the unlucky actuality with these accidents. It’s catastrophic — it’s not as catastrophic because it was just a few years in the past — nevertheless it actually nonetheless is one thing that must be handled on his finish. We will hope and create as a lot as we wish, however on the finish of the day, it’s received to be him that places himself able to make himself the athlete that he was. We’ve got the utmost assurance that’s what he’s going to do.”
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Hatcher mentioned he was by no means fearful that he wouldn’t return to B.C. The workforce is just too good, the teammates too shut, and the tantalizing prospect of enjoying within the Gray Cup at B.C. Place saved the scales firmly weighted within the Lions’ favour.
“I’m simply blissful to be part of the group. Grateful for my outing right here in Canada. It’s been a blessing.
“We’ve received some unfinished enterprise, and that is the place I need to chase the objective,” he mentioned. “We’ve been kicking at that door two straight years. It’s about that point that door will get knocked down.”
B.C. LIONS pending free brokers
Free company opens Feb. 15 across the CFL, and the Lions nonetheless have some key gamers but to signal official offers:
Quarterback
• Dominique Davis
Offensive Line
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• David Knievel
• Phillip Norman
Huge Receiver
• Jevon Cottoy
• Alexander Hollins
• Daniel Petermann
• Fortunate Whitehead
Working again
• Keinan LaFrance
• Defensive Again
• Marcus Sayles
• Jalon Edwards-Cooper
• Mike Jones
Linebacker
• Ben Hladik
• Josh Woods
Defensive Line
• Nick Usher
• Mathieu Betts
• Tibo Debaille
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