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Ottawa Redblacks scratch Greg Bell against Edmonton Elks
by 3Down Staff June 5, 2026
The Ottawa Redblacks will not dress Greg Bell for their season-opener against the Edmonton Elks on Saturday night. The team issued its official depth chart for the game on Friday morning.
The 27-year-old signed with the Redblacks in free agency after earning an All-East Division selection with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2025. He rushed 184 times for 1,038 yards, caught 62 passes for 426 yards, and scored six touchdowns over 15 regular-season games.
Bell is the second-highest-paid running back in the CFL but he's been placed on Ottawa reserve roster. The designation, which is new for 2026, is meant for healthy scratches. He was a full participant in practice this week.
Elijah Collins will start at running back after spending last year on the Redblacks practice roster.
The 25-year-old native of Detroit, Mich. was a collegiate standout at Michigan State University, where he was named third-team All-Big Ten as a freshman. He finished his collegiate career at Oklahoma State University.
Dru Brown and Max Duggan are the two backup quarterbacks behind Jake Maier, who was recently announced as the team's starter. Bryson Barnes, who impressed during the preseason, is on the reserve roster alongside Bell.
Giordano Vaccaro, the first overall pick in the 2026 CFL Draft, will start at right guard with veteran Zack Pelehos as his backup. Free-agent additions Sean McEwen and Martez Ivey will start at centre and right tackle, respectively.
Defensively, the team will start five new veterans in defensive end Habakkuk Baldonado, linebackers A.J. Allen and Nyles Morgan, strong-side linebacker C.J. Reavis, and boundary cornerback Demerio Houston.
The Ottawa Redblacks (0-0) will host the Edmonton Elks (0-0) on Saturday, June 6 with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EDT. Both teams missed the playoffs in 2025.
The weather forecast in Ottawa calls for a high of 26 degrees and a 40 percent chance of rain. The game will be broadcast on TSN and RDS in Canada, CBS Sports Network in the United States, and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune-in on 880 CHED in Edmonton and TSN 1200 in Ottawa.
https://3downnation.com/2026/06/05/ottawa-redblacks-healthy-scratch-greg-bell-against-edmonton-elks/
Edmonton Elks starting two rookie receivers against Ottawa Redblacks
by 3Down Staff June 5, 2026
The Edmonton Elks are giving a pair of rookie American receivers a chance to make their mark in Saturday's season opener against the Ottawa Redblacks.
T.J. Luther and Joshua Cephus are both listed with the first unit for their CFL debuts. Luther bounced around the NFL after splitting his college career between Wofford College and Gardner-Webb University, while Cephus starred at the University of Texas-San Antonio before a stint with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The pair beat out incumbents O.J. Hiliare and Binjimen Victor, who was released, in training camp.
Also making their debuts for the Elks on offence are American receiver Austin Mack, Canadian receiver Brendan O'Leary-Orange, American offensive tackles Brendan Bordner and Jordan Murray, and Canadian guard Coulter Woodmansey — all of whom were prized free agent acquisitions. Veteran David Beard has won the starting centre job over Mark Korte, while fullback Skyler Griffith will see his first action after missing his entire rookie season with injury.
Defensively, the overwhelming majority of last season's starting group returns, with all-star defensive end Malik Carney serving as the only key addition. Former Most Outstanding Rookie winner Nick Anderson will get the nod over Brock Mogensen at middle linebacker, though both are expected to play.
American defensive end Elijah Alston and Canadian receiver Carter Kettyle are both listed on the reserve list for this week, meaning they are healthy but will not play. American receiver Joe Robustelli, who came over from Saskatchewan in free agency, is the only player on the one-game injured list after he was unable to practice due to a hamstring issue.
Defensive linemen Brandon Barlow (Achilles), Darien Newell (Achilles), and Silas Hubert (ribs), offensive lineman Brett Boyko (hand), and defensive backs Benjamin Sangmuah (knee) and Royce Metchie will begin the season on the six-game injured list.
https://3downnation.com/2026/06/05/edmonton-elks-starting-two-rookie-receivers-against-ottawa-redblacks/
How many chances is Jake Maier going to get?
"I can fix him"
Quote from: markf on Today at 07:27:10 PMHow many chances is Jake Maier going to get?
"I can fix him"
Dru and him fall under the same category of "Okay" quarterbacks. They would be the 8/9th best starting QB's
Quote from: LXTSN on Today at 08:00:55 PMDru and him fall under the same category of "Okay" quarterbacks. They would be the 8/9th best starting QB's
Everyone knows what Maier can do. Jury still out on dru's ceiling. He gets hurt way to often to get a good bead on him.