Official Game Day Thread - Edmonton @Winnipeg, June 25, 2026

[ModAdmin]

At least a couple or 3 good stories for the Edmonton/Winnipeg game...

1. the battle between Rankin and Oliviera,

2. Dru Brown returns to Winnipeg,

3. will the Bombers sell out another game (16th straight)

The Bombers report 30,000 plus seats are sold to date.

Ed Tait discusses these topics in his 48-Hour Primer here...

Although early in the season, it's an important game against a Western rival and to keep pace with the rest of the league.

Bombers should be relatively healthy assuming Nic Demski and Ontaria Wilson are ready to go.

Lots to discuss but in the meantime, Go Bombers Go!

[Tecno]

Weatherman keeps waffling on the weather for Thurs.  As of this second, the thunderstorms predicted yesterday should hold off.  If they do, it's perfect temp & weather and I fully expect another sell-out.

Cross your fingers!

[Blue In BC]

Ok, as expected Smith  is back on the R and Clark is moved to the 6 game IR. Vanterpool is moved to the reserve list. Nothing shown for Brown. Maybe there is a 1 week in transit before they have to account for him. However I would think he still collects a pay check.

I expected him to be on the reserve list so maybe it's just a paperwork delay doing that.

We have nobody on the 1 game IR. Vanterpool coming off early means his SMS would be the same if he had been on the 1 game IR. No problem with that.

[The Zipp]

Huge game against an improved western rival - losing two at home will make Wade's blood boil, just can't happen.  If the defense doesn't show marked improvement then I believe there will be changes in personnel at some spots.  You can't just trot out the "we didn't tackle well" or "we just weren't executing our gaps" message - if that is the case they need to find some players who can tackle. 

Personally I think the problems are deeper than that but I am cognizant that it is still early in the season and it can take time to gel as a team....and for whatever reason defenses have kind of sucked across the CFL.

Glad Demski and Wilson are in - hopefully they can last the game and make a difference.

[Blue In BC]

I thought we might consider swapping a DL for Texada this week. It's a question whether more pressure from the DL is better for the secondary, or a better DB than Kelly is better in coverage.

I don't know that either choice was the right answer or wrong. We'll see how this plays out. If the front 7 can stop Rankin then I don't think Fajardo beats us with the passing game.

Big test not just for the players but for the strategy we use.

[blue_gold_84]

Defense needs a redemption game in every sense of the term. Get to Fajardo early and that should help, IMO.

[gobombersgo]

Derek Taylor🏈   @DTonOB

Just one depth change for the Bombers for Thursday, despite all the shuffling we saw at practice this week.

OL Micah Vanterpool goes to the reserve roster, back from injury.

New QB Dru Brown isn't listed anywhere yet.

LB Brody Clark to 6-game injured list.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Smith in for Clark is the only change.

[gobombersgo]

[gobombersgo]

[gobombersgo]

Jaylen Smith returns for Winnipeg Blue Bombers against Elks
by 3Down Staff  June 24, 2026

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have only made one change to their roster ahead of Thursday night's game against the Edmonton Elks. The team issued its official depth chart on Wednesday morning.

Jaylen Smith has been activated from the one-game injured list after sitting out in Week 2 due to a head injury. He recorded one special teams tackle during the team's season-opening win over the Calgary Stampeders in Week 1.

The five-foot-ten, 228-pound defender was a second-round pick in the 2025 CFL Draft out of the University of North Texas. He made three defensive tackles and 22 special teams tackles as a rookie, finishing second on the team and tied for fourth league-wide in special teams tackles.

In a corresponding move, the team has placed Canadian linebacker Brody Clark on the six-game injured list. The rookie out of York University was a non-participant in practice this week due to a thigh injury and was listed as doubtful. The 24-year-old native of Delta, B.C. made three special teams tackles over two regular-season games to start the year.

Dru Brown, who was acquired from the Ottawa Redblacks via trade on Tuesday, will not dress for the game. He is not listed on Winnipeg's official roster, which a team spokesperson indicated is because he remains in transit.

Offensive lineman Micah Vanterpool, who was previously on the six-game injured list, has been moved to the reserve roster. Other players who remain on the six-game injured list include receiver Kevens Clercius, defensive linemen De'Shaan Dixon and Tanner Schmekel, linebackers Lane Novak, Jovan Santos-Knox, and Jaiden Woodbey, and defensive backs Cam Allen and Ethan Ball.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1-1) will host the Edmonton Elks (2-0) at Princess Auto Stadium on Thursday, June 25 with kickoff scheduled for 8:30 p.m. EDT. The Elks are coming off an overtime win over the Montreal Alouettes, while the Blue Bombers were on bye.

The weather forecast in Winnipeg calls for a high of 25 degrees and sun. The game will be broadcast on TSN in Canada and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune in on 880 CHED in Edmonton or 680 CJOB in Winnipeg.

https://3downnation.com/2026/06/24/jaylen-smith-returns-for-winnipeg-blue-bombers-against-elks/

[gobombersgo]

Brock Mogensen to replace Nick Anderson for Edmonton Elks
by 3Down Staff  June 24, 2026

The Edmonton Elks will start Brock Mogensen at middle linebacker when they take on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Thursday night. They released their depth chart on Wednesday.

The native of Farmington, Minn. dressed for 14 regular-season games as a CFL rookie in 2025, making 40 defensive tackles, five special teams tackles, one interception, and one forced fumble. Mogensen was a collegiate standout at the University of South Dakota, where he was named the Missouri Valley Football Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2023.

Nick Anderson started the team's first two regular-season games at middle linebacker, recording 12 defensive tackles and one special teams tackle. The 26-year-old, who was named All-CFL and the league's Most Outstanding Rookie in 2024, didn't practice this week due to a hamstring injury and has been moved to the six-game injured list.

The Elks have made two other roster changes for Thursday with Carter Kettyle being added to the active roster in place of Francis Bemiy, and Bradley Hladik taking over long-snapping duties from Luke Burton-Krahn.

Kettyle was the team's third-round pick in the 2026 CFL Draft out of the University of Alberta. The 22-year-old native of Grande Prairie, Alta. caught 101 passes for 1,695 yards and 17 touchdowns over 25 collegiate games with the Golden Bears, earning a first-team U Sports All-Canadian selection in 2025. He will dress in a depth role behind Kaion Julien-Grant.

Hladik spent the first two games of the regular-season on Edmonton's practice roster. Burton-Krahn has been moved to the six-game injured list with an Achilles injury.

Others still on Edmonton's six-game injured list include offensive linemen Brett Boyko and Coulter Woodmansey, defensive linemen Brandon Barlow, Silas Hubert, and Darien Newell, linebacker Eteva Mauga-Clements, and defensive backs Royce Metchie and Benjamin Sangmuah.

Joe Robustelli, a free-agent addition at receiver, remains on the one-game injured list. He was a non-participant in practice this week due to a hamstring injury.

The Edmonton Elks (2-0) will visit the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1-1) at Princess Auto Stadium on Thursday, June 25 with kickoff scheduled for 8:30 p.m. EDT. The Elks are coming off an overtime win over the Montreal Alouettes, while the Blue Bombers were on bye.

The weather forecast in Winnipeg calls for a high of 25 degrees and sun. The game will be broadcast on TSN in Canada and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune in on 880 CHED in Edmonton or 680 CJOB in Winnipeg.

https://3downnation.com/2026/06/24/brock-mogensen-to-replace-nick-anderson-for-edmonton-elks/

[gobombersgo]

[gobombersgo]

[blueraid]

I think our D has to key on Rankin, can't let him run wild...Won't be easy as we haven't look that good against the run and even worse if we let Fajardo play pitch and catch down the field....Our offence can get it done if we keep the Elks off the board....We shall see