Stamps release 22 players following Lions loss in pre-season finale

Calgary Stampeders' Derek Dennis is driven off the field with an injury during the first half of CFL football game against the B.C. Lions in Vancouver, on Saturday, September 24, 2022. Dennis was one of 22 players released by the Stampeders Saturday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

The Stampeders wrapped up the CFL pre-season with a second-half comeback that fell just short Thursday night in Vancouver, then set their roster Saturday, releasing 22 players.

After falling behind 22-3 in the first half, the Stamps stormed back to tie it, only to lose it on the final play when kicker Kieran Burnham split the uprights from 31 yards out to give the Lions the win.

Vernon Adams started for the Lions and did a lot of damage, tossing three first-half touchdown passes to Lucky Whitehead, Dominique Rhymes and Justin McInnis.

Adams was perfect, going 12 for 12 and 213 yards.

"They took it to us early," said coach Dave Dickenson. "They looked sharp. What I was most proud of was the guys kept fighting. We did leave some of our guys (veterans) home, so hopefully they make a difference next time we play them, which is in a week."

DENNIS RELEASED

Early Saturday, TSN's Farhan Lalji retweeted a report that the Stampeders have released veteran offensive tackle Derrick Dennis.

Dennis played for the Stampeders from 2015-2016, then after a year with the Roughriders, returned to the Stampeders in 2018. He played 86 games over six years.

Along with Dennis, the following players were released by the Stampeders Saturday:

WR Floyd Allen, DL Mandy Alonso, DB Marc-Sullivan Andzang, WR Felton Davis III, K Campbell Fair, RB Ryth-Jean Giraud, DL Jamal Hines, OL Alexandre Marcoux, DL Romeo McKnight, DB Dishon McNary, DB Brad Muhammad, OL Brandon Murphy, WR Andrew Parchment, WR Tyler Roberts, RB Lucas Robertson, OL Jakari Robinson, LB Josiah Schakel, LB Lino Schröter, LB Shaq Smith, DB Chris Steele, DL Ronnie Thomas

The Stampeders open the regular season Thursday night against the Lions at McMahon Stadium. Kickoff is 7 p.m.

With files from Glenn Campbell and The Canadian Press