The B.C. Lions acquired veteran quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. from the Montreal Alouettes on Wednesday for a 2023 first-round draft pick.
Adams fills a need for B.C. (8-2). Last week, starter Nathan Rourke had foot surgery and backup Michael O鈥機onnor was injured in last week鈥檚 23-16 loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
The Lions return to action Sept. 9 visiting Montreal.
鈥淕etting a player of Vernon鈥檚 calibre provides a big boost to our offence as we continue pushing for a return to the playoffs,鈥� Neil McEvoy, the Lions鈥� co-GM/director of football operations, said in a statement.
Montreal wasn鈥檛 finished dealing. The Alouettes also sent American defensive lineman Avery Ellis and a 2023 third-round pick to the Edmonton Elks on Wednesday for defensive lineman Thomas Costigan and defensive back Nafees Lyon, both Americans.
Adams, 29, has appeared in 67 career CFL regular-season games over the past six seasons with Montreal (2016-17, 2018-22) and Saskatchewan (2017). The California native has thrown for 6,988 yards with 43 touchdown passes and 26 interceptions.
The five-foot-11, 200-pound Adams has also rushed for 978 yards and 20 TDs on 203 carries.
Adams was originally on the Lions鈥� negotiation list. But he was dealt to Montreal in May 2016 for a 鈥�17 first-round pick that B.C. used to take McMaster receiver Danny Vandervoot third overall.
Vandervoot is currently with the Edmonton Elks.
