The B.C. Lions released offensive linemen Jacky Chen and Amari Cummings on Wednesday according to the CFL Transactions page.
Jacky Chen is six foot six and weighs 310 pounds. The 23-year-old from Port Jefferson, New York, signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023. Next, the Houston Texans acquired Chen via waivers on August 15, 2023, before he was released on August 25, 2023.
Then, Chen signed with the B.C. Lions on September 12, 2023, and spent a month on the practice squad. He re-signed with the Lions on November 22, 2023. Chen appeared in one preseason game against the Calgary Stampeders in 2024.
Collegiately, Chen played five seasons at Pace University (2018-22) playing 31 games for the Setters. In 2019, Chen helped the Setters’ offense accumulate over 3,700 total yards of offense, 22 passing touchdowns, and 20 rushing touchdowns. Chen was invited to play in the East-West Shrine Bowl and was named First Team All-NE10 in 2022.
Amari Catchings is six foot four and weighs 320 pounds. The 25-year-old from Jackson, Mississippi, played 13 games for the Bay Area Panthers (IFL) in 2023 helping them win the United Bowl championship over the Sioux Falls Storm.
The Bay Area Panthers ranked third on offense in scoring, third in rushing yards per game (95.7), and 12th in average passing yards per game (134.5). Then, Catchings signed with the B.C. Lions on November 27, 2023. He appeared in one preseason game against the Calgary Stampeders making one tackle.
Collegiately, Catchings played four seasons at Jackson State (2018-21) playing 17 games for the Tigers. In 2019, Jackson State’s offense scored 26.08 points per game… 2699 yards of rushing yards for 188.3 per game, 2400 passing yards for 200.25 per game, 4663 yards of total offense, and 388.6 yards per game.
