The B.C. Lions have released American defensive back Robert Carter Jr. to pursue an opportunity in the NFL. 3DownNation reporter JC Abbott has reported that he will sign with the Indianapolis Colts.
“Robert earned every bit of this opportunity,” said general manager Ryan Rigmaiden in a statement. “As a rookie, he started every game, performed at a very high level and made some of the most outstanding individual plays we’ve seen in recent memory. While it always hurts to lose a player of his calibre, we’re excited he’ll get the opportunity to live out his dream of playing in the NFL.”
Carter started all 18 regular-season games for the Lions in 2025, earning the team’s nomination for Most Outstanding Rookie. He made 51 defensive tackles, five interceptions, one forced fumble, and a defensive touchdown. Carter also started both of the team’s playoff games, adding a 95-yard kickoff return touchdown in the West Semi-Final.
The five-foot-ten, 175-pound defender quickly earned a reputation for generating spectacular plays, including a leaping, one-handed interception against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats that made highlight reels on both sides of the border and is widely regarded as the CFL play of the year.
The native of Danville, Va. played collegiately at Robert Morris University, where he was a second-team All-Conference selection as a senior in 2024. In two seasons, he made 66 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, two sacks, 14 pass breakups, five interceptions, and two blocked kicks. He also returned 22 kicks for 588 yards and one touchdown.
The B.C. Lions finished second in the West Division standings in 2025 with an 11-7 record and beat the Calgary Stampeders in the West Semi-Final before losing the West Final to the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Nathan Rourke threw for 5,290 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions over 16 regular-season starts, posting an 11-5 record. He was also named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player.
The Lions ranked first in net offence, fourth in net defence, and sixth with a turnover differential of minus-four. James Butler rushed for 1,213 yards, Keon Hatcher led the CFL with 1,688 receiving yards, and Micah Awe led the league with 117 tackles. B.C. finished third in attendance with average crowds of 27,124, which was a 0.9 percent increase from the previous year.
