(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HRi8mPKWgAAhzW1?format=jpg&name=large)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HRjKDT1W0AQyyjH?format=jpg&name=large)
Vernon Adams Jr. officially back in Calgary Stampeders' saddle for Labour Day Classic
by 3Down Staff September 6, 2026
The Calgary Stampeders will officially have quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. back under centre following a one-game absence.
The 33-year-old quarterback was a full participant in practice on Thursday for the first time since suffering a head injury three weeks ago. He has cleared concussion protocol and has been listed atop the team's official depth chart for the Labour Day Classic on Monday.
Adams Jr. has completed 180-of-281 passes for 2,548 yards, 22 touchdowns, and two interceptions over 10 regular-season games this year. He has also added 28 carries for 214 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
The veteran pivot was injured after he scrambled near midfield early in the fourth quarter of Calgary's Week 11 loss to the B.C. Lions. He was tackled by Lions defenders Deontai Williams Sr. and Lorenzo Mauldin IV, and his helmet struck the turf. He momentarily appeared unresponsive following the play, but eventually left the field under his own power.
Backup quarterback Josh Love made his first career start in Adams' absence, leading the Stampeders to a victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He has completed 31-of-46 passes for 332 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions in his time at the helm. Love will remain on the active roster, with fellow QB Ben Wooldridge being placed on the reserve roster.
The Stampeders will be without a couple of rotational defensive linemen, as both Charles Wiley (ankle) and Elijah Hills (ankle) have been placed on the six-game injured list. American rookies Savio Frazier and Khairi Manns will dress for depth.
Canadian linebacker Eric Rascoe, the team's first-round pick in the 2026 CFL Draft, is slated to make his return from a shoulder injury. Canadian defensive back Ashton Miller-Melancon has been demoted to the practice roster to make room.
The Calgary Stampeders (5-6) will host the Edmonton Elks (8-3) at McMahon Stadium on Monday, September 7, with kickoff scheduled for 6:00 p.m. EDT. Last week, the Elks were on bye while the Stampeders beat the Hamilton Tiger-Cats thanks to a late touchdown run from Dedrick Mills.
The weather forecast in Calgary calls for a high of 15 degrees with a chance of showers. The game will be broadcast on TSN in Canada, CBS Sports Network in the U.S., and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune in on 880 CHED in Edmonton or 770 CHQR in Calgary.
https://3downnation.com/2026/09/06/vernon-adams-jr-officially-back-in-calgary-stampeders-saddle-for-labour-day-classic/
Edmonton Elks lose two key weapons for Labour Day Classic
by 3Down Staff September 6, 2026
The Edmonton Elks will be without a couple of key weapons for their Labour Day Classic clash with the Calgary Stampeders, though the loss will be offset by the return of two major offseason acquisitions.
Return specialist Javon Leake (hamstring) and standout rookie receiver T.J. Luther (hamstring) have both been placed on the six-game injured list.
Leake, who won the CFL's Most Outstanding Special Teams Player award in 2023 as a member of the Toronto Argonauts, has fielded 35 kickoffs for 769 yards, 47 punts for 509 yards, and six missed field goals for 170 yards this year. He has also been a frequent contributor on offence, rushing 31 times for 180 yards and catching 11 passes for 80 yards, adding one touchdown.
Luther is widely regarded as a candidate for the CFL's Most Outstanding Rookie award this season. In 11 games, he has caught 52 passes for 649 yards and three touchdowns, becoming an essential part of the offence.
Running back Shunderrick Powell will dress to handle return duties for Leake. Luther will be replaced by touted free-agent addition Joe Robustelli, who is slated to make his Elks debut after being sidelined by a hamstring injury all season. The 28-year-old suited up in 12 games during the 2025 campaign for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, recording 38 receptions for 544 yards with three touchdowns.
Offensive lineman Coulter Woodmansey, another part of Edmonton's offseason shopping spree, will also make his return to the lineup after being sidelined with a knee injury since the season opener. The highest-paid offensive lineman in the CFL will slot in at right guard, bumping veteran Brett Boyko into a backup role and sending rookie Chris Pashula back to the practice roster.
Canadian safety Royce Metchie will also return from a hamstring injury and is listed as a backup behind Chelen Garnes. Tyshon Blackburn has been moved to the practice roster as a result.
The Edmonton Elks (8-3) will visit the Calgary Stampeders (5-6) at McMahon Stadium on Monday, September 7, with kickoff scheduled for 6:00 p.m. EDT. Last week, the Elks were on bye while the Stampeders beat the Hamilton Tiger-Cats thanks to a late touchdown run from Dedrick Mills.
The weather forecast in Calgary calls for a high of 15 degrees with a chance of showers. The game will be broadcast on TSN in Canada, CBS Sports Network in the U.S., and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune in on 880 CHED in Edmonton or 770 CHQR in Calgary.
https://3downnation.com/2026/09/06/edmonton-elks-lose-two-key-weapons-for-labour-day-classic/
A Calgary loss is in our favour.
Quote from: Blue In BC on September 06, 2026, 04:36:15 PMA Calgary loss is in our favour.
Unless Calgary sweeps the Elks and we sweep the Riders.
Then 1st place is back on the menu.
Quote from: Jesse on September 06, 2026, 04:46:40 PMUnless Calgary sweeps the Elks and we sweep the Riders.
Then 1st place is back on the menu.
We play the Elks, Lions and Stamps one more time. Everything is possible but it means we need to win our games. Just looking at the odds etc we have a tough road ahead. It starts today.
From the Stamps:
🇺🇸 OL Brad Ashmore, who was a game-time decision, has been moved to the one-game injured list and 🇺🇸 OL Bakyne Coly has been activated from the practice roster.
just watching this offensively challenged game and we can beat either of these teams, the west is wide wide open, come playoff time, anyone can beat anyone
Quote from: dd on September 07, 2026, 10:51:01 PMjust watching this offensively challenged game and we can beat either of these teams, the west is wide wide open, come playoff time, anyone can beat anyone
And yet they both beat us recently.
Stamps look to have a good shot at beating the Elks. That will push the Bombers to 5th place after that!!!>
Quote from: Blue In BC on September 07, 2026, 11:23:00 PMAnd yet they both beat us recently.
Stamps look to have a good shot at beating the Elks. That will push the Bombers to 5th place after that!!!>
Ya I think the Stamps beat the Elks today, Elks/Fajardo turning the ball over and costing them 14 points, no turnovers and they'd be winning, turnovers are a big part of football
Quote from: dd on September 07, 2026, 11:34:28 PMYa I think the Stamps beat the Elks today, Elks/Fajardo turning the ball over and costing them 14 points, no turnovers and they'd be winning, turnovers are a big part of football
Vernon tends to play well in games when weather is not a factor, in rain, cold or snow, he plays much worse.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on September 07, 2026, 11:49:13 PMVernon tends to play well in games when weather is not a factor, in rain, cold or snow, he plays much worse.
He hasn't played all that great, its Farjardo that's turned the ball over twice for 14 points, you can't do that and expect to win.
Really feels like the Bombers season is going to come down to those games against Calgary and BC.
Calgary might lose this game, but they play Ottawa twice.
well the Elks did us a favour with their 2nd half comeback win, we needed that!!
Quote from: peg_city on September 08, 2026, 12:51:53 AMReally feels like the Bombers season is going to come down to those games against Calgary and BC.
Calgary might lose this game, but they play Ottawa twice.
The Stamps have taken a shine to molly-whopping the Bombers in the last couple of years under VA, other than the first game of this season which was won on a walk off field goal. I don't like the odds of the Bombers beating them head to head.
1Q2:35 the RTP of VAJ by Anderson.
To me that's a 25Y 100% guaranteed under the 2025 rule changes -- a grade 2. And I'd DQ him as well. That was totally an "egregious example of RTP" which by rule is DQ.
If you watch the crown of the helmet hits VAJ's neck and chin area, which is 100% protected by the 2025 rules. Crown to neck is grade 2. No exceptions. There is no mitigation of anything here either, as clearly VAJ was sliding.
There was nothing here except an intent to take VAJ out of the game by re-concussing him. If they had done this to Zach we'd be screaming for DQ.
There is no universe the dude needs to hit VAJ that hard. All the other players in this situation this week have been raising their body above the QB to dive "over them" if they can't avoid the hit. This here was egregious and intentional.
I'm disappointed in command for getting it wrong. Sends completely the wrong message.
And now they'll max-fine him during the week, showing that they indeed think it was a bad play. How can you do the fine and not give them 25 and a possible DQ? Hypocrites.
Also, VAJ should have been injury removed to be checked out. I'm just starting the game, so maybe they did later, but he kept playing on that series and he was 100% wobbly. So much for VAJ saying he's thinking about life after football. Winning and the paydays always take precedence for men.
Game was somewhat similar to the Bomber game. Big lead then fell flat in the 4th Q. Stamps has an 18 point lead and lost by 10? Yikes. Edmonton is a top team without a doubt.
Quote from: Tecno on September 08, 2026, 12:10:06 PM1Q2:35 the RTP of VAJ by Anderson.
To me that's a 25Y 100% guaranteed under the 2025 rule changes -- a grade 2. And I'd DQ him as well. That was totally an "egregious example of RTP" which by rule is DQ.
If you watch the crown of the helmet hits VAJ's neck and chin area, which is 100% protected by the 2025 rules. Crown to neck is grade 2. No exceptions. There is no mitigation of anything here either, as clearly VAJ was sliding.
There was nothing here except an intent to take VAJ out of the game by re-concussing him. If they had done this to Zach we'd be screaming for DQ.
There is no universe the dude needs to hit VAJ that hard. All the other players in this situation this week have been raising their body above the QB to dive "over them" if they can't avoid the hit. This here was egregious and intentional.
I'm disappointed in command for getting it wrong. Sends completely the wrong message.
And now they'll max-fine him during the week, showing that they indeed think it was a bad play. How can you do the fine and not give them 25 and a possible DQ? Hypocrites.
Also, VAJ should have been injury removed to be checked out. I'm just starting the game, so maybe they did later, but he kept playing on that series and he was 100% wobbly. So much for VAJ saying he's thinking about life after football. Winning and the paydays always take precedence for men.
That tackle by Anderson was shocking, worse than Simoni Lawrence on Zach when he was with the Riders, direct and intentional use of the helmet to injure a sliding QB. No doubt he should be suspended.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on September 08, 2026, 03:58:25 PMThat tackle by Anderson was shocking, worse than Simoni Lawrence on Zach when he was with the Riders, direct and intentional use of the helmet to injure a sliding QB. No doubt he should be suspended.
No argument whatsoever for a rough play call on a head shot on a sliding Qb.!what Anderson did was greasy and should have been at least flagged for rtp and yes to RP on the head shot. Until the beleaguered wants to get serious about head shots on vulnerable players they will continue
Quote from: dd on September 08, 2026, 09:35:19 PMNo argument whatsoever for a rough play call on a head shot on a sliding Qb.!what Anderson did was greasy and should have been at least flagged for rtp and yes to RP on the head shot.
He did get a 15 RTP.
But as many have pointed out on other hits in other threads past, 15 is a tiny price to pay for taking out the opponent's #1 franchise QB. It usually guarantees you a victory. And in these LD home & homes, it probably guarantees you a win the subsequent week too.
So what was command thinking? Because Anderson is their superstar huge-money MLB he gets a pass? Because it was so early EDM would probably lose with Djabome in the spot all game? Tough tuddies. He should have been booted.
If they go and suspend him now instead of just a fine, I'll go ballistic. Not because he doesn't deserve it, but because then it 100% proves command should have been giving him at least a 25 and probably a DQ in-game. I guess if they suspend him effective immediate on Wednesday so he misses the LD-rematch, that would placate me somewhat. But he'd probably appeal.
Quote from: Tecno on September 09, 2026, 09:29:05 AMHe did get a 15 RTP.
But as many have pointed out on other hits in other threads past, 15 is a tiny price to pay for taking out the opponent's #1 franchise QB. It usually guarantees you a victory. And in these LD home & homes, it probably guarantees you a win the subsequent week too.
So what was command thinking? Because Anderson is their superstar huge-money MLB he gets a pass? Because it was so early EDM would probably lose with Djabome in the spot all game? Tough tuddies. He should have been booted.
If they go and suspend him now instead of just a fine, I'll go ballistic. Not because he doesn't deserve it, but because then it 100% proves command should have been giving him at least a 25 and probably a DQ in-game. I guess if they suspend him effective immediate on Wednesday so he misses the LD-rematch, that would placate me somewhat. But he'd probably appeal.
Guess we'll see later in the week, formal punishment also depends on the rumpus Dickenson causes with CFL HQ, he should go ballistic.
If like most businesses the CFL is all about the money, you'd think the club owners and presidents would be pushing for stricter QB protection as the QB is their most valuable asset and is the keystone of a successful franchise. I don't believe for a second it has anything to do with health and safety, in it's essence football exploits and consumes the effort and health of young men to gain profit.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on September 09, 2026, 06:10:47 PMdepends on the rumpus Dickenson causes with CFL HQ, he should go ballistic.
Ya, they should have showed Dickenson when you could hear the crowd booing at the replay. An apoplectic Dickenson is always worth a few laughs.
It's late Thurs and the CFL hasn't released the fines list for the week?? Does anyone keep to any schedule at all? They are usually released on Wed. I guess Thu when they are late. I'm not sure I've ever seen them released Fri?