Star Ticats’ linebacker Simoni Lawrence slated to return to lineup against Stamps

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The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are getting one of their most important players back just in time for the playoff push.

Linebacker Simoni Lawrence will return to his starting spot on the Ticats’ defence when the team takes on the Calgary Stampeders this week. The 33-year-old has missed the last three weeks with a knee injury suffered against the Argonauts, his second extended absence of the year after a groin injury held him out of three games earlier in 2022. In six starts this season, Lawrence has recorded 27 tackles.

The University of Minnesota product was named the East Division’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player for the third time in his career in 2021 (2015, 2019, 2021) while also earning his third CFL all-star selection (2015, 2019, 2021) and his fifth CFL East Division All-Star (2014, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021) honours.

Lawrence’s return comes at a particularly pivotal time for Hamilton, as the team controls their own playoff destiny and can guarantee a postseason berth with three victories to end the year. Their first opportunity comes Friday, October 14 in Calgary, with kickoff scheduled for 9:45 p.m. EDT.