On Wednesday, the Edmonton Elks re-signed Canadian offensive lineman Brett Boyko and added American defensive back Donnie Lewis Jr. to their roster.
Boyko returns to the Elks after playing 14 games and starting 13 at right tackle in 2023. Boyko joins the team after playing for the XFL’s Orlando Guardians. The six-foot-seven offensive lineman was drafted in the second round by the BC Lions in 2015. The UNLV product appeared in 15 games for the BC Lions in 2019, before joining the Saskatchewan Roughriders for eight games in 2021.
Boyko also played for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2015 and the Los Angeles Chargers from 2016 to 2018.
Lewis Jr. joins the Green and Gold after spending last season on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats practice roster. Prior to joining the CFL, the 27-year-old defensive back spent the 2023 season with the USFL’s Birmingham Stallions, recording 10 tackles and one interception in five games.
The Cleveland Browns selected the Baton Rouge, Louisiana native in the seventh round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He played with the club for two seasons before moving on to the Cincinnati Bengals in 2020-21 and the Donnie Lewis Jr in 2022. Lewis Jr. was drafted out of Tulane University, where he played four seasons and recorded 160 tackles, eight interceptions, and 37 pass breakups. He was selected All-American Athletic Conference Second Team as a senior in 2018.
On Saturday, June 8, the Elks will kick off their 75th anniversary season against the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
