The Edmonton Elks released American wide receiver Steven Dunbar Jr. to avoid paying a $65,000 bonus on January 15th. Edmonton signed Dunbar Jr. during the free agency period on February 14th, 2023. The 6’3″, 202-pound native of New Orleans, Louisiana, had established himself in the CFL playing for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats before becoming a free agent in 2023.

One Season With The Elks

The 2023 season is the first that Dunbar Jr. played with the Edmonton Elks. During the 2023 season, Dunbar Jr. played in 13 games before being added to the six-game injured list to end the season. Dunbar Jr. caught 39 passes for 536 yards and five touchdowns for the Elks.

Breaking Out With The Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Dunbar Jr. signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2020 before the CFL canceled the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The American receiver opted out of his contract, but then resigned with the Tiger-Cats for the 2021 season. During his two seasons with the Tiger-Cats, he caught 77 passes for 1,094 yards and five receiving touchdowns. In 2022, he was a CFL East Division All-Star.

Before The CFL

Before coming to the CFL, Dunbar Jr. spent time with the San Francisco 49ers in 2018, the Denver Broncos practice squad in 2019, and was drafted by the Dallas Renegades of the XFL in 2020 before being waived by the Renegades. Dunbar Jr. played college football at the University of Houston, where he played in 38 games, catching 180 passes for 2,430 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.

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