The Toronto Argonauts have announced the signing of defensive linemen Shawn Lemon and DeWayne Hendrix. Both players are American and rejoin the team, with Lemon returning for his third stint and Hendrix making a quick return after a recent release.
Lemon, a three-time Grey Cup champion, has a notable history with the CFL. His professional football career began in 2011, and he has played for multiple teams across the league. He previously played for the Argonauts from 2017 to 2019, during which he recorded 28 sacks. Lemon was also part of the Montreal Alouettes squad that won the 110th Grey Cup in 2023.
During his career, Lemon has accumulated significant statistics, including 270 defensive tackles, 103 sacks, and 30 forced fumbles. He has also been recognized as a two-time Divisional All-CFL defensive lineman and a one-time All-CFL defensive lineman. In 2022, while with the Calgary Stampeders, he was the West Division nominee for Most Outstanding Defensive Player.
Hendrix’s return to the Argonauts comes shortly after his recent release by the team. He had signed with Toronto earlier in 2026. His initial tenure with the Argonauts spanned from 2021 to 2023, where he contributed to the team’s 109th Grey Cup victory in 2022. During those three seasons, Hendrix recorded eight sacks and 65 defensive tackles in 38 games.
Last season, Hendrix played in 13 games for the BC Lions, where he registered 21 defensive tackles and four sacks. His career CFL statistics include 103 defensive tackles, 16 sacks, and two forced fumbles over 67 career CFL games. He later joined the Hamilton Tiger-Cats as a free agent in 2024.
Lemon’s extensive CFL journey
Lemon’s journey in the CFL has been extensive, featuring stints with numerous teams. After starting with Winnipeg and Saskatchewan in 2011, he returned to the CFL with Edmonton in 2012. He then played for Calgary, where he secured a Grey Cup in 2014, followed by time in the NFL with Pittsburgh and San Francisco, and then back to the CFL with Ottawa and Saskatchewan between 2013 and 2016.
His first trade to the Argonauts occurred in 2016, where he achieved 14 sacks in 16 games, earning him an East Division All-CFL defensive lineman selection. The following year, he won his second Grey Cup. After 35 games in Toronto, he was traded to BC before returning to the Argonauts in 2019. Subsequent moves included another period with BC and Edmonton, and a productive 2022 season in Calgary.
Lemon’s career includes playing for eight of the nine CFL teams, with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats being the only team not on his resume. He has 103 career sacks, placing him among the league’s top pass rushers.
Hendrix’s quick return to Toronto
Hendrix, who stands at six-foot-four and weighs 275 pounds, was recently released by the Argonauts before his swift return. Prior to his release, he had spent time on the one-game injured list and reserve roster, not dressing for Toronto’s initial five regular-season games.
His previous experience with the Argonauts saw him contribute significantly to their championship season. The Pittsburgh product’s five-year CFL career highlights his consistent defensive presence.
The Argonauts are scheduled to visit the BC Lions at BC Place Stadium on Saturday, July 25, with kickoff set for 7:00 p.m. EDT.
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Source: cfl.ca
