Coming home to perform in front of friends and family is a true honor, Covington said. “Throughout my professional career, I have followed the Lions, so I’m excited to join the squad at a critical juncture in the franchise’s history. The objective of bringing the Grey Cup home is one that we all support and comprehend. Canadian defensive lineman Christian Covington has signed with the BC Lions, the team announced on Wednesday. After nine years in the NFL, Covington, a native of Vancouver, will now play for the first time in the CFL.
Rice, Christian Covington (30 years old, 6’2, 300)
During his three seasons as a collegiate player at Rice University, Covington amassed 122 total tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and four pass breakups.
In the sixth round of the 2015 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans selected him 216th overall, after he had completed his college career. Although he would spend many years in the NFL, he was also taken 43rd overall by the BC Lions in the fifth round of the CFL Draft. From 2015 to 2019, Covington was a member of the Houston Texans, participating in 50 games throughout that time. He participated in all 16 games for the Dallas Cowboys in 2019. He participated in 16 games for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2021 and the Cincinnati Bengals in 2020. He played in four games with the Chargers in 2022.
In 102 NFL regular season games overall, Covington has made 106 solo tackles, 90 assisted tackles, 9.5 sacks, 19 tackles for loss, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles. Covington was cut shortly before the regular season began in 2023, but he was a member of the Detroit Lions during training camp and the preseason. Over three preseason games last year, he recorded five total tackles and half a sack. After being released by Detroit, he played on the LA Chargers practice squad in 2023.
Vancouver is where Christian Covington was born and reared. Grover Covington, who has 157 career sacks in the CFL, is the father of the player in question.