San Francisco 49ers fans might not remember the name Kemoko Turay. The veteran defensive end only played three games in San Francisco in 2022 after he was signed in the offseason to a one-year deal.
Turay did not make the initial 53-man roster in San Francisco as he was released ahead of the roster deadline. However, the 49ers immediately signed him to the practice squad. Turay played 42 defensive snaps in three games before getting waived in late November of that season.
The 49ers brought Turay back again a few days later, where he would be called up to the active roster on New Year’s Eve and was assigned to the practice squad on January 2, 2023. After his stint with the 49ers, Turay spent time with the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers. But he did not make either team's 53-man roster.
Despite things not working out over the last two years in the NFL, Turay kept his football dream alive by signing with the St. Louis Battlehawks in the UFL last year. The former 49ers defender didn’t make the Battlehawks, but found an opportunity with the BC Lions in the CFL.
Turay is one of several former NFL players in the CFL trying to revitalize their football careers, and is off to a good start in BC.
“An organization that needs some more help in terms of rushing the passer. He looks good so far in training camp," TSN's Farhan Lalji said. “They got some veterans established in those spots, but he could find himself with a spot on the roster with a really good showing in the preseason."
The 29-year-old defensive end did not get on the stat sheet in the Lions’ first preseason game against the Calgary Stampeders. However, he’ll get another chance to make a splash in BC’s final preseason against the Edmonton Elks.
It will be interesting to see if the former 49ers pass rusher can show off his pass rushing skills in the CFL, which helped him record 12 sacks and 29 quarterback hits over four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts.