Olafioye gets clean bill of health following release from NFL's Rams

B.C. Lions offensive lineman Jovan Olafioye has been medically cleared to play this season.

A finalist for the league's top lineman award in 2011, the all-star signed with the St. Louis Rams after helping the Lions win the Grey Cup last season.

But the NFL club released the 24-year-old Detroit native, citing an unspecified medical issue and he returned to the Lions.

The Lions also have not revealed details of the health issue.

But GM Wally Buono says the Lions' medical staff have given Olafioye a clean bill of health provided he "continues to follow a specific protocol and has his status monitored on a regular basis."

"He is, in essence, at the same point medically he has been at for the two previous seasons," said Buono.

The 6-foot-6 and 325-pound right tackle is entering his third season with the Lions. His unexpected return means the Lions will have virtually the same group on an offensive line that dominated last season.

In 2011, the Lions gave up the fewest sacks in the CFL for the first time since 1995 as they overcame a dismal 0-5 start to win the Grey Cup.

Despite the Rams' concerns about his health, Olafioye did not miss a game and was not cited for surrendering a single sack.