GDT Ssk at Edm, Sat Aug 1, 6:00PM

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[gobombersgo]

Edmonton Elks regain Carter O'Donnell, bench Cam Carter for rematch with Riders
by 3Down Staff  July 31, 2026

The Edmonton Elks are making two changes to their offensive line ahead of Saturday's rematch with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, prompted by the return of Carter O'Donnell.

The 27-year-old started the team's first six regular-season games at left guard before missing last week's game with a knee injury. The Calgary native signed with the Elks last fall after five years in the NFL. He dressed for seven regular-season games and made five starts at right guard.

O'Donnell was a member of the Indianapolis Colts and Arizona Cardinals during his tenure down south. He dressed for five regular-season games and made three starts with Arizona. According to Spotrac, he earned almost $2.6 million during his time in the NFL.

Veteran Canadian Brett Boyko will move into a backup role once again with O'Donnell returning to his usual left guard spot, but that won't be the only change up front. Rookie American Cam Carter, who has started six games at right guard since the injury to Coulter Woodmansey, has been demoted to the practice roster.

Joe Cooper, a rookie out of Slippery Rock University, will make his first career start after being signed on June 16. The six-foot-seven, 320-pound blocker was a three-time All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference selection, a consensus Division II All-American, and was a finalist for the Gene Upshaw Award in 2025.

Canadian fullback Jacob Plamondon won't be available this week to assist, as he has been placed on the one-game injured list with a shoulder issue. American defensive tackle Jared Brinkman is listed as a game-time decision after he was limited on Thursday due to a quad injury.

The Edmonton Elks (6-1) will host the Saskatchewan Roughriders (4-2) at Commonwealth Stadium on Saturday, August 1, with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EDT. The two teams met in Regina this past week, where Vincent Blanchard kicked a walk-off 57-yard game-winning field goal.

The weather forecast in Edmonton calls for a high of 24 degrees and a 30 percent chance of showers. The game will be broadcast on TSN in Canada, CBS Sports Network in the United States, and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune in on 620 CKRM in Regina or 880 CHED in Edmonton.

https://3downnation.com/2026/07/31/edmonton-elks-regain-carter-odonnell-bench-cam-carter-for-rematch-with-riders/

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Saskatchewan Roughriders add A.J. Ouellette, Rolan Milligan Jr. to six-game injured list
by 3Down Staff  July 31, 2026

The Saskatchewan Roughriders will be without at least one major star on each side of the ball for their rematch with the Edmonton Elks and beyond.

Running back A.J. Ouellette and defensive back Rolan Milligan Jr. have both been placed on the six-game injured list due to knee injuries. Both players have already missed time this season due to other injuries.

Over four regular-season games this year, Ouellette has rushed for 288 yards and caught four passes for 30 yards. He went down after his leg was twisted awkwardly in the third quarter of last week's loss to Edmonton, though head coach Corey Mace indicated that the injury was not believed to be long-term. He described the 31-year-old as "week-to-week," though the six-game designation suggests Saskatchewan believes an absence of that length is possible.

Rookie Quali Conley will take back over as the starter after previously replacing Ouellette in two games this season. The 23-year-old rushed for 107 yards, caught three passes for 17 yards, and scored one touchdown in those contests.

Milligan is back on the injured list after making a brief return to the lineup last week. The former Most Outstanding Defensive Player has appeared in just two games this season and has been forced to exit both times, recording two tackles. The two-time All-CFL selection has made 217 defensive tackles, 35 special teams tackles, 14 interceptions, two sacks, one forced fumble, and one touchdown over 54 career regular-season CFL games with the Roughriders.

National defensive back Jonathan Edouard will step back into the starting role at boundary halfback, having made seven defensive tackles and seven special teams tackles in five games for Saskatchewan. American James Burgess Jr. will dress as insurance.

The Riders will also be missing starting left guard Zack Fry with a knee injury, though he has been placed on the one-game injured list. Daniel Johnson will step into the first unit, while rookie Erik Andersen dresses as the sixth man.

Saturday's game marks the Rider debuts of Canadian linebacker Ryder Varga and American defensive end Derick Roberson, who was a star in the UFL. American defensive lineman Jaylen Pate and Canadian defensive lineman Liam Hoskins have been demoted to the practice roster to make room.

Notably, Canadian receiver Samuel Emilus is listed as a game-time decision after being unable to practice on Tuesday and Wednesday due to a foot injury. In six games this season, the reigning Grey Cup Most Valuable Canadian has made 31 catches for 448 yards and five touchdowns. Daniel Wiebe and D'Sean Mimbs are both dressed to replace him if required.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders (4-2) will visit the Edmonton Elks (6-1) at Commonwealth Stadium on Saturday, August 1, with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EDT. The two teams met in Regina this past week, where Vincent Blanchard kicked a walk-off 57-yard game-winning field goal.

The weather forecast in Edmonton calls for a high of 24 degrees and a 30 percent chance of showers. The game will be broadcast on TSN in Canada, CBS Sports Network in the United States, and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune in on 620 CKRM in Regina or 880 CHED in Edmonton.

https://3downnation.com/2026/07/31/saskatchewan-roughriders-add-a-j-ouellette-rolan-milligan-jr-to-six-game-injured-list/

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depth charts posted

[GOLDMEMBER]

Good game tonight!

Unlike last nights complete debacle.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Finally, 30k in attendance in Edmonton, hope the Elks don't crap the bed!  If the CFL is fixing games thru the refs, this one needs to be tilted in the Elks favour.

[Austin85]

These are real football teams not like Winnipeg this year. Both teams recruited well in the off season. I bleed bomber blue but our football ops is terrible and needs big changes so they don't fall into the abys.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Why is Suitor mentioning Justin McInnis, is he losing his mind?

[TrueBlue75]

Two solid teams putting on a show in front of a large crowd is great for the league. The Bombers are nowhere near being in the same realm as these two teams. Painful to acknowledge that used to be us. Banjo Bowl is going to be painful this year isn't it?  I'm lowkey rooting for the Elks...

[Austin85]

Montreal as well included in that, Calgary is coming on and BC when they get Rourke back and receivers that were injured, bombers are in trouble, if they keep up there garbage play and coaching as well.

[dd]

This game is super intense and physical. Man our guys aren't anywhere near this level of play

[BBRT]

This game is super intense and physical. Man our guys aren't anywhere near his level of play

Amen! And I don't see much in the cupboard that will change that.

[Tecno]

1Q11:21 Look at how Rankin gets that TD with multiple low foot/shin holding/tackling as well as waist tackles.

That is 100% a failure if that's Brady.  Not only does Rankin keep going, but he fully regains his balance and could have gotten more.  Brady would get the fall-forward yards and that's it.

This is what I'm talking about when I say any low contact brings him down.

[Tecno]

1Q11:00(-ish, clock not shown!)

On the huge SSK KO return there were 2 MASSIVE OBVIOUS holds by SSK guys along the rail (best seen in the live shot).  That return does not occur without those holds.

Blind refs do their Sgt Schulze routine.

SSK is all hold, all the time.  League needs to do something about this.

How about make ST holding a challengeable call, but with a super high threshold for overturning (i.e. winning an uncalled hold).

[Tecno]

These are real football teams not like Winnipeg this year. Both teams recruited well in the off season. I bleed bomber blue but our football ops is terrible and needs big changes so they don't fall into the abys.

You said it.  The energy and physicality and seriousness and focus of these guys (and MTL) is not 1, not 2, but 100 levels above what we are doing.  That's coaches.  That's culture.  That's morale & mindset.

We've been missing much of this for at least 3 seasons.  Yes, even seasons when we were making GCs.

And the braintrusts and chess match -- miles better with these teams.  Just every facet is better.  There isn't a single thing we do better than either team -- and that covers like 100 distinct things you could point to.

It's sad.

P.S. Just near the end of the 1st Q, and all I want to see is both teams seroiusly beat the snot out of each other -- we do face each team 2 times later this season.

[Tecno]

When we face SSK @PAS, I want to see massive chirping by Donny C & co on their new NAT REC D.Weibe.

D.Weibe.

Take out the dot... sound it out.

[Tecno]

If we want to beat SSK (ya right; a guy can dream), gotta find a way to stop Stevens.  He won't be throwing.  Load the whole box, contain the edges.  Man coverage on any wide out decoys.

Hint: 75% of the time he goes behind Yoshi

[Tecno]

Finally, 30k in attendance in Edmonton, hope the Elks don't crap the bed!  If the CFL is fixing games thru the refs, this one needs to be tilted in the Elks favour.

I'm at the DQ on Taylor and it would appear the league wants SSK to win.  Not calling holds on max-hold SSK, and calling IBs and DQs and the almost-never seen "embellishment" on EDM... that's rough.

And I would have predicted that anyhow, because the league wants the underdog team to win, and no team to run away with it.  A team wildly running away with a division means less eyeballs on TV.  Everything being even keeps more fans invested.

[Tecno]

The DQ of Taylor is just nuts.  I get the 2-misconduct thing, but being ejected on an embellishing?  Let's keep in mind the guy was legit pushed by a 350lb hoggie (see the 1st replay for the obvious push, not the 2nd replay that shows only the other hoggie touching him from behind).  He was going to fall anyhow.

I guess Taylor was watching too much FIFA last month?

Keep in mind Taylor is their star starting DE.  Not some ST nobody or 3rd backup.

I'm not sure I'm good with a player being kicked out for embellishment.  Maybe call it only a half point towards the ejection??  I'd put OC name calling in there too.  I want ejections for REAL, mostly VIOLENT things.  You think the fans in the stadium have any idea why he was DQ'd??  I know at PAS we'd have zero clue -- no one ever announces anything.  Have to do the hamster balls dontchaknow.

[Tecno]

I must say, I totally hate the break at the 3min warning even after the play has been whistled in.  Totally disrupts the game.  Totally NFLizes it.

Ya, I totally understand the need to shift to the 20s clock rules... but I still hate it.  Surely someone here can think up a better solution?

[Tecno]

3Q14:04 Should have found a way to keep Ty Ford -- INT master.  Wow.  And ratio buster.  Crazy.

Tre picked the wrong line of work to go into.  Let that be a lesson to the young Canadians going into U -- if you're good, don't opt to be a QB.  Opt to be anything else, and preferably at positions with few NATs -- like DB (ex-FS), DL, LB, RB.  (REC are a dime a dozen.)  Guaranteed huge CFL payday if you do that.

[dd]

The DQ of Taylor is just nuts.  I get the 2-misconduct thing, but being ejected on an embellishing?  Let's keep in mind the guy was legit pushed by a 350lb hoggie (see the 1st replay for the obvious push, not the 2nd replay that shows only the other hoggie touching him from behind).  He was going to fall anyhow.

I guess Taylor was watching too much FIFA last month?

Keep in mind Taylor is their star starting DE.  Not some ST nobody or 3rd backup.

I'm not sure I'm good with a player being kicked out for embellishment.  Maybe call it only a half point towards the ejection??  I'd put OC name calling in there too.  I want ejections for REAL, mostly VIOLENT things.  You think the fans in the stadium have any idea why he was DQ'd??  I know at PAS we'd have zero clue -- no one ever announces anything.  Have to do the hamster balls dontchaknow.

The league put in the 2 Misconduct rule to get rid of the crap that goes on, and its working. Taylor had the first one for bumping into an official, and then decided with one misconduct foul, I'm going to flop around like a FIFA soccer player, well, I for one am happy he got tagged with a misconduct for that. It was his decision to do it, pay the price. And to add further insult to injury, Killam gets a bench misconduct for chirping at the refs over the call, so what did Edmonton really learn over this...nothing. A misconduct foul is the most selfish foul you're going to commit, its unfortunate that it got him kicked out, but tough, don't flop around on the field, be a man for pete's sake!!!

[Tecno]

Sure, but losing Taylor may have cost them this super close game.  Keep in mind a bunch of CFL players may have impulse control problems.

Still seems chintzy to get DQ over an accidental ref hit and then a FIFA dive.  I'm pretty sure that wasn't the spirit of the 2-strikes rule.  I'm sure most on the rules committee would have thought it surely would have included 1+ URs.

[Tecno]

Finally, 30k in attendance in Edmonton, hope the Elks don't crap the bed!  If the CFL is fixing games thru the refs, this one needs to be tilted in the Elks favour.

That last drive by SSK was pretty marginal from a legitimacy standpoint for me... I think 3 penalties to save SSK from having to punt or FG?  All of them very iffy.  The UR one where the SSK guy was teabagging the EDM guy for half an hour was especially egregious.  You can't hold the guy down and teabag him for half an hour after the whistle.  EDM dude didn't hit him or anything, just got up and said get off me!

The RTP was extremely weak.  Mega weak.  90% of the time that goes uncalled.  I totally thought Killam should have challenged that.  They could have.  1.30 left, taking them into FG range, that was the whole game right there.  Too bad Luke wasn't in the booth, he'd tell you how bogus that was.  Even Suits knows that's crap.

And the happens-every-SSK-O-snap "holding" called on EDM to kill any hopes of a 3 min drive on the penultimate drive -- don't get me started on that one.  That's never called, ever, for any team.  Hoggie didn't even pancake and hold down the rusher either, like happens all the time (unflagged of course).  Sad that no one told Cody he had to lose this one -- he was giving it his all.

I knew if there was a fix it would be for SSK to even the 2-game score.  Can't let EDM run away with it.  The fact Killam was so calm and not even talking to anyone about challenging hints he knew he had to take the dive.  Of course, if I was into tinfoil, which I'm not.  No tinfoil here!  So it was all on the up & up just like the Patriots/Falcons Super Bowl!!

[Tecno]

Everyone has figured out Rankin now.  Is that 2 or 3 games now he's been held to a tiny fraction of his usual output?  His dreams of 1000/1000 are evaporating fast.  The panel's Rankestein jokes are disappearing.

Even we held him to "normal good RB" numbers.

BUT stopping Rankin comes at a definite cost.  SSK dedicated a spy, and had at least 1-2 other guys cheat to wherever Rankin was moving, until they knew for sure he wasn't getting it -- then they resumed their normal duty.  That opened a ton of stuff in the middle where Cody just LOVES to pass (always has).  When Leake was on the field all those spies stopped spying and Cody was far less effective.

If Rankin gets hurt, EDM will lose mostly everything -- the team doesn't run through Cody, it runs through Rankin.  Without the superman, they're just another team and Cody is just another QB.

[Tecno]

Refs really ruined the end of this game, too.  It was setup for a great comeback by EDM and then maybe time for SSK to get a FG or something.  3 mins left when Cody gets the ball, 2 mins left with SSK gets the ball.  Plenty of time.

There doesn't have to be any tinfoil to see how the over-reffing ruined it.  And no one seems to care?  Contrast with the previous week's exciting EDM/SSK game.

Yawn.

[The Zipp]

3Q14:04 Should have found a way to keep Ty Ford -- INT master.  Wow.  And ratio buster.  Crazy.

Tre picked the wrong line of work to go into.  Let that be a lesson to the young Canadians going into U -- if you're good, don't opt to be a QB.  Opt to be anything else, and preferably at positions with few NATs -- like DB (ex-FS), DL, LB, RB.  (REC are a dime a dozen.)  Guaranteed huge CFL payday if you do that.

become a really good long snapper

[theaardvark]

become a really good long snapper

Lol.

Love the Cvety story about being a LS.  He hadn't done it, but submitted grainy film of his teamate snapping, got an invite to camp and worked his butt off to become a LS.  One heck of a long career based on a lie...  literal fake it until you make it.

[Tecno]

become a really good long snapper

Ya    Long career, but garbage pay.  Oh ya, lots of competition.

If I was a super athletic guy making that choice in HS I'd be anything on D (except FS), or RB.  If you're a top guy (or even if not!) you get big pay and a guaranteed CFL job.

[Tecno]

Some great examples of egregious/impactful holds that SSK gets away with:

2Q12:41 the db at the rail, even complains nonstop to the ref right after
2Q1:58 so obvious the dude is still holding him even as they fall over the downed carrier
2Q0:51 the trailing tackler
4Q8:42 OL
4Q7:59 REC, clearly obvious on slowmo replay

3Q3:22 uncalled FM by Conley when running

Campbell had a hurt arm in a sling, might be out a while (hopefully until after BB!)

2Q9:49 is the embellishment if anyone wants to see it