GDT Ott at Edm, Thu July 9, 8:00PM

[gobombersgo]

[gobombersgo]

[gobombersgo]

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/

[gobombersgo]

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/

[The Zipp]

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

[dd]

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

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!!

[The Zipp]

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!!

i hope you are right!!!

[dd]

i hope you are right!!!

They were close to beating the Riders, who are a much better team than the Elks...so it is possible

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

They 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.

[GOLDMEMBER]

Love to see Ottawa show a pulse of capable football even know dislike Dimwiddie.

[GOLDMEMBER]

RBs could use stop on D...

[The Zipp]

oof ottawa is bad, bad

[GOLDMEMBER]

oof ottawa is bad, bad

D is stepping up but the Offence is down right offensive.

[GOLDMEMBER]

Maier is terrible.

[The Zipp]

if jake maier is truly better than dru brown is...we are in trouble