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Tyron Vrede to make Edmonton Elks debut against Redblacks
by 3Down Staff July 8, 2026
The Edmonton Elks will have Global linebacker Tyron Vrede in the lineup when they host the Ottawa Redblacks on Thursday night. The team released its official depth chart on Wednesday.
The six-foot, 230-pound defender signed with the team earlier this week after his release from the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He spent the previous five seasons with the Ottawa Redblacks, recording 41 defensive tackles, 35 special teams tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble.
Vrede will dress in a backup role at weak-side linebacker behind Joel Dublanko, while Jadon Pearson will make his CFL debut in a depth role behind middle linebacker Dariel Djabome.
Djabome, the third overall pick in the 2026 CFL Draft, made his first career start against the B.C. Lions last week. He recorded seven defensive tackles and one interception. The Elks have been banged up at linebacker this season with Nick Anderson and Brock Mogensen both on the six-game injured list.
In corresponding moves, the team has placed Canadian linebacker Justin Pace (foot) on the one-game injured list and American defensive back Ladarius Tennison on the practice roster.
The rest of Edmonton's roster remains unchanged from last week when they suffered their first loss of the season in Kelowna, B.C.
The Edmonton Elks (3-1) will host the Ottawa Redblacks (0-4) at Commonwealth Stadium on Thursday, July 9 with kickoff scheduled for 9:00 p.m. EDT. The Redblacks are coming off a 27-22 loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders, while the Elks suffered their first loss of the season against the B.C. Lions in Kelowna.
The weather forecast in Edmonton calls for a high of 22 degrees with a mix of sun and cloud. The game will be broadcast on TSN and RDS in Canada and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune in on TSN 1200 in Ottawa or 880 CHED in Edmonton.
https://3downnation.com/2026/07/08/tyron-vrede-to-make-edmonton-elks-debut-against-redblacks/
Ottawa Redblacks to start Jeremy Lucien for Bennett Williams against Elks
by 3Down Staff July 8, 2026
The Ottawa Redblacks have chosen Jeremy Lucien to start in place of the injured Bennett Williams against the Edmonton Elks on Thursday. The team released its official depth chart on Wednesday morning.
Lucien dressed for the team's first three regular-season games, making one start at field-side halfback. He recorded 10 defensive tackles and two special teams tackles before being moved to the practice roster ahead of last week's loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
The 26-year-old native of Moore Township, Pa. finished his collegiate career at Vanderbilt University before stints with the Baltimore Ravens and Calgary Stampeders. He didn't dress for his first professional regular-season game until 2026.
Williams is out for the season with a torn Achilles, head coach and general manager Ryan Dinwiddie told the media this week. The 27-year-old started Ottawa's first four regular-season games at boundary halfback, recording 12 defensive tackles and five special teams tackles.
Lucien will start in place of Williams at boundary halfback.
Ottawa has also promoted Binjimen Victor to the active roster and listed him as a starter at field-side wideout. Kalil Pimpleton, the incumbent starter, remains on the roster as a backup and return specialist. Victor started against the Montreal Alouettes in Week 4 and made two receptions for 32 yards.
The Redblacks have also moved linebackers Michael Brodrique (leg) and Jamie Pettway (knee), and defensive back Scott Hutter (ribs) to the six-game injured list. Canadian receiver Ethan Jordan, who was a late addition to the active roster last week, has been moved to the practice roster.
In corresponding moves, the team has promoted linebackers Josh Connors and Benjamin Dobson to the active roster. Connors was an eighth-round pick in the 2026 CFL Draft out of Wilfrid Laurier, while Dobson was a fifth-round pick out of Calgary. Connors has made one defensive tackle and one special teams tackle through three games this year, while this will mark Dobson's regular-season debut.
Eric Cumberbatch, who signed back with Ottawa this week after being cut last month, will also dress in a depth role at defensive back.
The Ottawa Redblacks (0-4) will visit the Edmonton Elks (3-1) at Commonwealth Stadium on Thursday, July 9 with kickoff scheduled for 9:00 p.m. EDT. The Redblacks are coming off a 27-22 loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders, while the Elks suffered their first loss of the season against the B.C. Lions in Kelowna.
The weather forecast in Edmonton calls for a high of 22 degrees with a mix of sun and cloud. The game will be broadcast on TSN and RDS in Canada and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune in on TSN 1200 in Ottawa or 880 CHED in Edmonton.
https://3downnation.com/2026/07/08/ottawa-redblacks-to-start-jeremy-lucien-for-bennett-williams-against-elks/
i will be shocked if this isn't a blowout for edmonton. i hope ottawa can hang with them but it will be tough. unless edmonton are truly pretenders and they start to show their true colors
Quote from: The Zipp on July 09, 2026, 05:47:15 PMi will be shocked if this isn't a blowout for edmonton. i hope ottawa can hang with them but it will be tough. unless edmonton are truly pretenders and they start to show their true colors
I hear what you're saying, but alot of strange things have happened already this season, and I think Edmonton is really a pretender, but it's Ottawa, they should stomp them at home, but if ever there was a trap game, this is it, Edmonton will be thinking they got it made and boom Ottawa wins its first game of the season!!
Quote from: dd on July 09, 2026, 06:06:20 PMI hear what you're saying, but alot of strange things have happened already this season, and I think Edmonton is really a pretender, but it's Ottawa, they should stomp them at home, but if ever there was a trap game, this is it, Edmonton will be thinking they got it made and boom Ottawa wins its first game of the season!!
i hope you are right!!!
Quote from: The Zipp on July 09, 2026, 06:53:26 PMi hope you are right!!!
They were close to beating the Riders, who are a much better team than the Elks...so it is possible
Quote from: dd on July 09, 2026, 07:13:10 PMThey were close to beating the Riders, who are a much better team than the Elks...so it is possible
Could be a weekend of upsets, along with Ottawa VA could keep rolling with the hot hand and beat the Als, and Dru Brown could surprise everyone by kicking the Bomber offence into a higher gear if the defence does their job. Over in Hamilton this game could go down as the revenge of Jake Dolegala, he may not be the most respected QB in the CFL but I do believe he beat the Bombers at least once in recent years.
Love to see Ottawa show a pulse of capable football even know dislike Dimwiddie.
RBs could use stop on D...
oof ottawa is bad, bad
Quote from: The Zipp on Today at 01:28:39 AMoof ottawa is bad, bad
D is stepping up but the Offence is down right offensive.
Maier is terrible.
if jake maier is truly better than dru brown is...we are in trouble
Quote from: The Zipp on Today at 01:34:52 AMif jack maier is truly better than dru brown is...we are in trouble
Dimwiddie is dumb. Maier is so bad. BAD!
Quote from: GOLDMEMBER on Today at 01:35:38 AMDimwiddie is dumb. Maier is so bad. BAD!
if dru lights it up tomorrow and Jake continues like this - dinwiddie gonna look real bad
RB's defence doing a good job of challenging the Elks, if Maier figures out how to move the ball they have a decent chance to win the game, likely comes down to the 4th Q. Anything can happen.
Maier knows how to find Hardy, where is Gino?
Dumb, dumb, dumb throw, Ottawa was about to take the lead.
Idiots gave up 2 FG's in the last minute.
BOO :o
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on Today at 02:01:36 AMMaier knows how to find Hardy, where is Gino?
dude has checked out and i can see why - he has been on baaaad teams for so long.
prime waste of talent
Faj can still move
So Ottawa can only score any thing if Elks commit a penalty on at least half the plays leading up to. Yah ok, sure, sure.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on Today at 01:45:52 AMRB's defence doing a good job of challenging the Elks, if Maier figures out how to move the ball they have a decent chance to win the game, likely comes down to the 4th Q. Anything can happen.
not sure Maier can figure out 2+2...
Quote from: The Zipp on Today at 02:19:15 AMdude has checked out and i can see why - he has been on baaaad teams for so long.
prime waste of talent
Not earning his paycheque, needs a kick in the butt.
If Collaros got hit like Fajardo and Maier this game he'd be out for the year
Quote from: Pete on Today at 02:57:16 AMIf Collaros got hit like Fajardo and Maier this game he'd be out for the year
sad but true
we will see how dru brown fares
and yet the Elks may squander this one away
Quote from: The Zipp on Today at 03:03:11 AMand yet the Elks may squander this one away
Oh Ottawa will see them squander and then squander that squander about 5 more times in the 4th quarter yet.
God dang, Rankin is so good.
Ottawa D gives up the ghost and the Elks march the field.
Well so much for Dinwiddie being the Qb whisperer and how he chose Maier over Brown but Maier is who always has been, a mediocre Qb with very little upside. He will go winless this year...time to bring in MBT, who was always a better option than Maier. Elks are white washing the Deadblacks, down 20 pts, put in MBT and start the change already
Quote from: Jesse on Today at 03:27:07 AMGod dang, Rankin is so good.
He did it again.
ottawa is terrible - especially the offense
rankin is incredible
fajardo is a quality QB
dru brown has to be better than Jake Maier
What a surprise...another pick by Maier, move on already!!!!
On that leake rum the Elk player should have been ejected for that dirty hit
Quote from: GOLDMEMBER on Today at 02:03:26 AMMIA
Gino is MIA since moving to OTT. It's even worse than when he was in EDM, which was already bad enough. He's so wasted on these garbage teams. Not saying we should get him though... our O would not use him properly either. He'd be great in BC, MTL, CGY, TOR. He could probably get those gigs if he'd reduce his ask a bit.
Maier doing the throw-to-the-wrong-jersey-color thing he perfected in CGY! How many INTs for Maier now? Kind of too bad for him too, because he had that somewhat under control in his first couple of games.
Quote from: The Zipp on Today at 03:03:11 AMand yet the Elks may squander this one away
But I really like & respect how EDM really isn't that good, but they are playing with heart and hunger, and getting a ton more coaching/planning help. They are a bit better than last year (when they were a near-last team), but they are playing like they are going to the cup.
That's the attitude I miss on our team. In seasons like '24 we did the opposite: we were cup bound but played more like we were bad. We were just luckier the others in the West were worse.
As long as EDM keeps believing, they do have a shot. If they learn they suck, they'll start sucking again. After all, everything they have is solely due to Rankin. Boy, it'll evaporate real quick if he ever goes on IR.
Quote from: The Zipp on Today at 03:43:18 AMrankin is incredible
fajardo is a quality QB
He really isn't. The instant Rankin goes IR, they'll go under .300. Did Cody look good last season? Nope. Does every team that has him always dump him? Yup.
EDM spent the off-season planning the entire O around Rankin. All the pieces added are to complement him. A whole new scheme was concocted just to get Rankin the ball.
It's all a Rankin mirage. Luckily for EDM, Rankin doesn't really ever visit the IR.
Quote from: Pete on Today at 03:52:16 AMOn that leake rum the Elk player should have been ejected for that dirty hit
I don't know if I've ever seen a TD called back for a UR
on O?? Is that even a thing? Shouldn't that be applied on top of the play result, not call the play back?
I guess it makes sense, it's just that I'm not sure I've seen it.
And so sad for Leake the uR had absolutely zero to do with the TD. Miles away from the play for no reason. Killam needs to get a better handle on these loose cannons. They been really out of hand all night.
Quote from: dd on Today at 03:39:31 AMWell so much for Dinwiddie being the Qb whisperer and how he chose Maier over Brown but Maier is who always has been, a mediocre Qb with very little upside.
Maier doesn't see the "pictures". He just doesn't have the ability. And he never will, because it can't be taught or picked up. It can be latent, but it doesn't show up in year 8 of a career...
He throws to the quadruple covered REC because in his head he is open. He has no idea when LB drops back, or DL drops back. It isn't even hard to trick him. It's like he gets tunnel vision. It's bizarre, and equally bizarre he's lasted this long. Dickenson The Greater is as good a QB talent-spotter as Dinwiddie, and he concluded Maier was hopeless... Dinwiddie whould have listened.
Maier's hopeless as a QB and should be fired and relegated to permanent backup or be bounced from the league like Jennings & Franklin.
Hand it to our D... we limited Rankin way better than most other teams are. And Rankin said Holm is the only one who can stop him in the open field.
Is the NFL going to come for Rankin now? Should have been taken last season. But for sure he has to be on the radar now. Players that good, especially RBs who by definition don't have to be that tall, should be down south.
He's gotta be a lock for league MOP. NFL has to take him in the off-season and give all us other teams a break from the Rankin Cheat Code.
Quote from: Tecno on Today at 06:17:06 AMIs the NFL going to come for Rankin now? Should have been taken last season. But for sure he has to be on the radar now. Players that good, especially RBs who by definition don't have to be that tall, should be down south.
He's gotta be a lock for league MOP. NFL has to take him in the off-season and give all us other teams a break from the Rankin Cheat Code.
He's 29 and in the small side. He is not a NFL candidate.
And maybe he's in the middle of a hall of fame season, but he's 5 games in. Let's see how long he can hold up the pace for because the vast majority of the time, the pace falls of or injury details it.
That said, the Elks are doing a good job of mixing Leake in to not overwork Rankin.
He lit things up last season too. Wasn't achieving this level mostly because of the qb feud in edm, and general lack of direction.
I think it's easier for him to get touches when there's no running qb around stealing them.
I didn't realize he was 29 already though. Thought he was newer than that. He must have wasted time in other leagues. The moment he first hit the field in the CFL everyone knew he was special.
He's making Cory Sheets look like a chump. And Cory did get a NFL look after his explosive year.
Quote from: Tecno on Today at 06:17:06 AMIs the NFL going to come for Rankin now? Should have been taken last season. But for sure he has to be on the radar now. Players that good, especially RBs who by definition don't have to be that tall, should be down south.
He's gotta be a lock for league MOP. NFL has to take him in the off-season and give all us other teams a break from the Rankin Cheat Code.
lol, no.
Quote from: Tecno on Today at 11:25:50 AMHe lit things up last season too. Wasn't achieving this level mostly because of the qb feud in edm, and general lack of direction.
I think it's easier for him to get touches when there's no running qb around stealing them.
I didn't realize he was 29 already though. Thought he was newer than that. He must have wasted time in other leagues. The moment he first hit the field in the CFL everyone knew he was special.
He's making Cory Sheets look like a chump. And Cory did get a NFL look after his explosive year.
All due respect to Rankin, who is absolute fire right now, but he spent 3 years in the indoor football league and is in his third year here in the CFL and is looking unstoppable through 5 games.
Kory Sheets came here from the NFL, immediately put in back-to-back seasons of 1800+ all-purpose yards and left at the first opportunity.
I don't know about you, but i haven't seen an import rb show up in the league and look this special, right away, since sheets.
The only reason he didn't get the stats like sheets is sheets got 2013 riders, while Rankin got 2024 Elks.
And Rankin is still on a so so team even now, but still putting up amazing numbers!
Quote from: Tecno on Today at 12:32:32 PMI don't know about you, but i haven't seen an import rb show up in the league and look this special, right away, since sheets.
The only reason he didn't get the stats like sheets is sheets got 2013 riders, while Rankin got 2024 Elks.
And Rankin is still on a so so team even now, but still putting up amazing numbers!
Again, nothing against Rankin. But there is no NFL talk at this point in his career - which is the only point I was making.
And this isn't his rookie year, he's in his third year. Sheets was immediately impactful. And you can make the argument that the difference between the 5-13 and 8-10 Rider seasons that preceded 2013 was Sheets.
Does Dinwiddie still think Maier's a quality starting QB? I wonder.
Quote from: blue_gold_84 on Today at 01:02:18 PMDoes Dinwiddie still think Maier's a quality starting QB? I wonder.
I think, much like Milanovich, Dinwiddie needs a QB that is going to stay within the system and do exactly what he's told when he's told to do it. If a QB goes off-script, or plays reactive, they're done.
This is why Dinwiddie could be successful with a guy like Arbuckle, but bench Dru. It's why Tre Ford got sat on the bench by Milanovich in the game against us after having a successful play where he ran around and played school-yard football.
MBT comes in late and takes 3 big hits in under a minute. Ottawa has O-line problems to go with their QB problems.
Ottawa's trench play was awful last night. Besides MBT running around in the last 40 sec of the game, Noah Gettman almost got run over a few times while he was punting.
Maybe starting a rookie at RG isn't getting rid of Centre Hogan-Saindon weren't such great ideas...
Quote from: Jesse on Today at 01:14:05 PMI think, much like Milanovich, Dinwiddie needs a QB that is going to stay within the system and do exactly what he's told when he's told to do it. If a QB goes off-script, or plays reactive, they're done.
This is why Dinwiddie could be successful with a guy like Arbuckle, but bench Dru. It's why Tre Ford got sat on the bench by Milanovich in the game against us after having a successful play where he ran around and played school-yard football.
Dinwiddie did not bench Dru Brown, he chose Maier to start the season instead, which means little after 4 losses as the backup has already been called upon to finish out a game. It's up to the backup QB to cease opportunities when they arise, hope Brown hears the doorbell ring the next time opportunity knocks. Zach will be back in the saddle next week, Brown has limited opportunities to re-establish his career and show the CFL what he can do. Ding-Dong.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on Today at 05:18:34 PMDinwiddie did not bench Dru Brown, he chose Maier to start the season instead, which means little after 4 losses as the backup has already been called upon to finish out a game. It's up to the backup QB to cease opportunities when they arise, hope Brown hears the doorbell ring the next time opportunity knocks. Zach will be back in the saddle next week, Brown has limited opportunities to re-establish his career and show the CFL what he can do. Ding-Dong.
I mean, semantics?
He took the starting QB from the past two seasons and sat his but on the bench. Call it what you will. He wants a specific type of QB and did not think Brown was that guy. It's not a talent issue though and never was, imo.
The question I have is whether Dinwiddie will last the year?
Quote from: BBRT on Today at 05:24:56 PMThe question I have is whether Dinwiddie will last the year?
I'll give him credit for what he's done as a HC (with another team) but his roster management as a GM looks pretty suspect thus far. Anointing Maier QB1 and ditching Brown hasn't aged well at all.
He may be in over his head with dual HC/GM role he's taken on in Ottawa.
Quote from: Tecno on Today at 05:47:17 AMI don't know if I've ever seen a TD called back for a UR on O?? Is that even a thing? Shouldn't that be applied on top of the play result, not call the play back?
I guess it makes sense, it's just that I'm not sure I've seen it.
And so sad for Leake the uR had absolutely zero to do with the TD. Miles away from the play for no reason. Killam needs to get a better handle on these loose cannons. They been really out of hand all night.
Yes, a UR is applied at point of ball held, or point of ball dead at the option of the non offending team, they obviously opted to apply it PBH and take the TD off the board. And you're right, Killam should tear the guy a new one for this stupid play, all the backside refs are looking for stupid stuff like this, so you're not going to get away with a cheap shot even though your guy is cruising to the end zone 40 yards down the field. Great call by the officials
Quote from: BBRT on Today at 05:24:56 PMThe question I have is whether Dinwiddie will last the year?
That would be extremely dumb, one guess who didn't post a winning record till their 3rd season?
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on Today at 05:37:10 PMThat would be extremely dumb, one guess who didn't post a winning record till their 3rd season?
That would be a sound comparison if not for two things:
1. Dinwiddie's not a rookie HC, and
2. O'Shea hadn't taken on the dual HC/GM role.
It's a valid question to ask considering how bad the RedBlacks have been for a while now. Dinwiddie doesn't appear to have righted the ship just yet.
Quote from: blue_gold_84 on Today at 05:41:20 PMThat would be a sound comparison if not for two things:
1. Dinwiddie's not a rookie HC, and
2. O'Shea hadn't taken on the dual HC/GM role.
It's a valid question to ask considering how bad the RedBlacks have been for a while now. Dinwiddie doesn't appear to have righted the ship just yet.
One thing for sure, the QB's in the RB's room are temporary place holders, it will be interesting to see if Dinwiddie can bring in some future starters in the next year or two. Of note, he probably could have signed Cameron Dukes, Tyrie Adams or Caleb Evans instead of MBT but chose not to.
Dinwiddie will take some serious heat for trading Brown, especially when Brown lights it up here. They are going absolutely no where with Maier, Calgary gave up on him, Sask didn't re-sign him as their backup even, yet Dinwiddie figures he's all of a sudden starting material. He's got some splaining to do!!
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on Today at 05:59:35 PMCameron Dukes
What ever happened to this guy? He seems to have just disappeared despite some flashes with the Argos a couple of seasons ago. Maybe Dinwiddie should give him a call.