GDT Edm at Cgy, Mon Sep 1, 500PM

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LB Adam Bighill making Calgary Stampeders debut in Labour Day Classic
By 3Down Staff -August 31, 2025

Adam Bighill is suiting up for another Labour Day game, this time in different colours.

The future Hall of Fame linebacker will make his season debut for the Calgary Stampeders on Monday. Bighill signed with the team in late June but has been recovering from a torn ACL suffered last season. He is listed as a backup behind Canadian Micah Teitz, but will be able to rotate in for him as a nationalized American veteran.

The 36-year-old made 48 defensive tackles and one sack over 10 starts for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2024 before suffering a season-ending knee injury. The twelve-year veteran has played 190 regular-season CFL games since beginning his career with the B.C. Lions in 2011, recording 939 defensive tackles, 71 special teams tackles, 50 sacks, 15 interceptions, 14 forced fumbles, and one touchdown. He has won the CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player award three times, while earning six All-CFL selections and eight West Division all-star nods.

Offensively, the Stampeders will regain the services of American receivers Dominique Rhymes and Tevin Jones, who sat out last week with injuries. That will bump Daylen Baldwin and Kaylon Horton to the practice roster. Up front, left tackle D'Antne Demery has been placed on the one-game injured list with a hamstring issue and will be replaced by Preston Nichols. Tomas Jack-Kurdyla comes on as the sixth offensive lineman, with Rodeem Brown becoming a healthy scratch.

A trio of Canadian depth players will suit up for the contest, with running back Ludovick Choquette, defensive lineman George Idoko, and defensive back Dolani Robinson. Defensive back Ben Labrosse (hamstring) has been placed on the six-game injured list, while linebacker Justin Herdman-Reed (hamstring) has gone to the one-game. Linebacker Kaylyn St-Cyr and American defensive end Shaun Peterson Jr. have been returned to the practice roster.

The Calgary Stampeders (7-3) will host the Edmonton Elks (4-6) at McMahon Stadium on Monday, September 1 with kickoff slated for 6:00 p.m. EDT. The Elks are riding a three-game winning streak, while the Stampeders beat up Saskatchewan last week to sweep the season series.

The weather forecast in Calgary calls for a high of 28 degrees with a minor risk of thunderstorms. 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 880 CHED in Edmonton and 770 CHQR in Calgary.

https://3downnation.com/2025/08/31/lb-adam-bighill-making-calgary-stampeders-debut-in-labour-day-classic/

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Edmonton Elks' DL Jared Brinkman game-day decision for Labour Day Classic
By 3Down Staff -August 31, 2025

The Edmonton Elks head into the Labour Day Classic with just two changes to their roster, though a third could be on the way.

Defensive tackle Jared Brinkman has been listed as a game-time decision after being limited in practice on Saturday with a shoulder injury. The 26-year-old has made 19 tackles and one sack since joining the team in free agency this offseason.

Also along the defensive front, Noah Taylor will step into a starting role after Robbie Smith was placed on the six-game injured list earlier this week. The second-year man has notched 15 tackles and three sacks this season.

Rookie O.J. Hiliare will also make his debut with the first unit after joining the team last week, replacing Steven Dunbar Jr. after his injury. The native of Belle Glade, Fla., made 103 receptions for 1,279 yards and 10 touchdowns over 26 collegiate games at Bowling Green State University.

On special teams, all-star Canadian punter Jake Julien makes his return from the NFL, while Global specialist Cody Grace remains on the six-game injured list. That will allow kicker Vincent Blanchard to focus exclusively on his regular duties.

The Edmonton Elks (4-6) will visit the Calgary Stampeders (7-3) at McMahon Stadium on Monday, September 1 with kickoff slated for 6:00 p.m. EDT. The Elks are riding a three-game winning streak, while the Stampeders beat up Saskatchewan last week to sweep the season series.

The weather forecast in Calgary calls for a high of 28 degrees with a risk of thunderstorms. 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 880 CHED in Edmonton and 770 CHQR in Calgary.

https://3downnation.com/2025/08/31/edmonton-elks-dl-jared-brinkman-game-day-decision-for-labour-day-classic/

[Pigskin]

Well, we will finally get to see Adam Bighill in action.

[TecnoGenius]

Most boring game this season?  It was so boring even the punt return TD had me asleep.

Nice seeing Cody get beat up though!  Always fun.  Watch the obliques Cody!

Strangely enough, VAJ didn't do anything at all.  Then again, he didn't have to.  We should study how EDM D basically shut their whole O down, for when we face them in the post-season.

Dickenson The Greater still has no idea how to challenge.

Dustin won't hug people.

[TecnoGenius]

I tracked all Biggie snaps.  I excluded any SY or ST, as those are impossible to figure out with what TSN shows.

1Q1:27 2 plays
2Q9:56 2     
2Q4:22 1
3Q12:44    2
3Q7:56 2, 1 in on tackle
3Q5:20 2
3Q2:10 2
4Q9:31 2, 1 attempted tackle in    space, whiffed *

So basically not used at all in the 1st H.  Their young #47 was the MLB most of the game.  2nd H he was used a lot more when the game was getting out of hand for EDM.  Maybe saving their young guy wear & tear?  Also, EDM was clocking up TOP so maybe more of the "2nd team" schemes to spell guys.

But still, more than I predicted.  They seem to want to actually use him as a rotational MLB.  He mostly did a Hurl role of gap filler, or later he was tasked with deep drop roving.  He was mostly away from the ball.

The whiff is one we're used to in WPG: guy in space just caught the ball, one on one, and the carrier just dekes him and makes him look silly.  Too hard at that age to make that play.

Based on what he showed, I'm pretty sure they'll be keen to get someone else in that place on the AR, if PR and IR allows.  He's more valuable manning the tablet on the sidelines, teaching the rookies.

Did Herdmann-Reed not pan out?  Or did he get IR'd?

P.S. The young #47 looked good, but pretty skinny for a MLB.  Good nose for the ball and has big speed / range.