Hamilton Tiger-Cats add all-star linebacker Simoni Lawrence to six-game injured list

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have placed all-star weakside linebacker Simoni Lawrence on the six-game injured list.

Lawrence was a full participant in the team’s first three practices this week but did not suit up on Thursday due to a groin injury. Backup Kyle Wilson will start in his place when the Tiger-Cats take on the Ottawa Redblacks in a battle of winless teams on Saturday.

The 32-year-old Lawrence has played 131 games over nine seasons with the Ticats and ranks first all-time in franchise total tackles with 628.

The six-foot-one, 231-pound native of Upper Darby, Pennsylvania has had a relatively slow start to the 2022 season, making 19 tackles in four losses and drawing fire for his lack of big-time plays.

Lawrence started all 14 regular-season games and three playoff games during the shortened 2021 campaign. He finished top 10 in the CFL in numerous categories including first in defensive touchdowns (tie-2), fifth in defensive tackles (73), sixth in interceptions (tie-3) and eighth in total tackles (73).

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.