CFL

Bomber Report

Taylor Allen photo Former University of Manitoba quarterback Des Catellier was brought to Edmonton by Elks head coach after their time together on Calgary’s staff.

Former Bisons quarterback valued by Elks

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Yesterday at 8:44 PM CDT

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EDMONTON — Des Catellier may have been a young quarterback for the Manitoba Bisons, but Cody Fajardo saw the makings of a future coach.

It was 2019, when Fajardo was with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Catellier attended training camp with the team as part of the CFL QB Internship Program.

“He was one of the only U Sports guys that really came in and knew the whole playbook,” Fajardo, now the starting pivot for the Edmonton Elks, told the Free Press on Thursday.

“He could go in and rep just about any play on offence.”

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Bomber Report

Frank Gunn / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros (left) and then Montreal Alouettes QB Cody Fajardo shake hands after the 110th CFL Grey Cup. The Elks pivot is 2-0 against Collaros in 2026, but Collaros remains 8-4 in the QB battle against his former Saskatchewan Roughriders teammate.

Expect more of a grind than a shootout as Bombers face Elks on the road

Taylor Allen 7 minute read Preview

Expect more of a grind than a shootout as Bombers face Elks on the road

Taylor Allen 7 minute read Yesterday at 7:33 PM CDT

EDMONTON — Which version of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are going to show up this week?

To punch their ticket to the playoffs, they better hope it’s the one that plays three-phase football for a full four quarters on Friday night at Commonwealth Stadium.

That’s likely what it’ll take to outlast the first-place Edmonton Elks (12-4) — who are also extra motivated considering they can clinch their first West Division regular-season title since 2015 with a victory.

The Bombers (8-8) can also secure a post-season berth this weekend if the Calgary Stampeders (8-9) fall to the B.C. Lions (10-6) on Saturday, but they’re not looking for a handout.

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Yesterday at 7:33 PM CDT

CFL

Highway 11 is pictured southbound through the Qu'Appelle Valley near Lumsden, Sask., on Sunday, July 19, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Kayle Neis

No release of toxicology results in deadly crash involving Saskatchewan Roughrider

Jeremy Simes, The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

No release of toxicology results in deadly crash involving Saskatchewan Roughrider

Jeremy Simes, The Canadian Press 1 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 5:36 PM CDT

REGINA - RCMP says the province's coroners service won't be releasing toxicology results from a deadly crash that involved Saskatchewan Roughrider Jayden Dalke.

Mounties say details contained in that report are considered personal health information.

Dalke, 30, from Leduc, Alta., and Bhishma Rajyaguru, 22, from Regina died earlier this summer on Highway 11 near the town of Lumsden.

RCMP has said Dalke was driving on the wrong side of a divided highway — with alcohol and cannabis in his SUV — when his vehicle slammed into the car Rajyaguru was driving.

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Updated: Yesterday at 5:36 PM CDT

CFL

Ottawa Redblacks quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson lies on the field briefly after being hit by B.C. Lions' Lorenzo Mauldin IV, not seen, while passing the ball during the second half of a CFL football game, in Vancouver, on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Winless Redblacks desperate to end home campaign on high note

Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Winless Redblacks desperate to end home campaign on high note

Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 5:32 PM CDT

OTTAWA - It has been 406 days since Ottawa Redblacks fans last saw a win at TD Place. And they may have to wait a lot longer if the Redblacks (0-16) can’t snap a 22-game losing streak Friday night when they host the Toronto Argonauts (9-7) in their last home game of the season.

Ottawa hasn’t won a game since Sept. 5, 2025, which also marked the last time they won at home.

Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie would love to give fans a win, but he also wants to evaluate some players as he looks ahead to next season.

"We want to play good for our home crowd," Dinwiddie said. "We talked about it this morning, like let’s go out there and finish it on the right note. It's a chance for us to put some smiles on some of our fans' faces and in that locker room, go get a win."

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Updated: Yesterday at 5:32 PM CDT

CFL

Toronto Argonauts defensive back Tarvarus McFadden (2) battles Ottawa Redblacks wide receiver Nick Mardner (84) for the ball during second half CFL action in Toronto on Saturday October 19, 2024. HE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Ottawa Redblacks release Canadian receiver Mardner, American receiver Victor

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Ottawa Redblacks release Canadian receiver Mardner, American receiver Victor

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 2:36 PM CDT

OTTAWA - Canadian receiver Nick Mardner, the second pick of the 2024 CFL draft, was released Thursday by the Ottawa Redblacks.

Ottawa also let American receiver Binjimen Victor go.

The Redblacks drafted Mardner following his college career at Auburn.

The six-foot-six, 208-pound native of Mississauga, Ont., began his American university tenure at Hawaii (2018-21), then transferred to Cincinnati in 2022 before heading to Auburn for a sixth and final season.

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Yesterday at 2:36 PM CDT

CFL

Calgary Stampeders quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. (3) looks for a receiver during second half CFL football action against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Winnipeg on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

Calgary Stampeders not in control of their CFL playoff destiny

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Calgary Stampeders not in control of their CFL playoff destiny

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 3:30 PM CDT

TORONTO - The Calgary Stampeders will be playing for much more than the season series with the B.C. Lions on Saturday night.

Calgary (8-9) hosts B.C. (10-6) with the two teams having split their previous two contests this season. The Lions can cement a home playoff game with a victory.

Calgary doesn't control its playoff fate. It can neither clinch a post-season berth with a victory nor be eliminated from contention with a loss, thanks to last week's 33-28 setback to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

That loss gave Winnipeg the season series with Calgary 2-1. The Bombers split their series with Saskatchewan 1-1 but have a better point differential in those two contests, giving them the tiebreaker with the Riders.

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Updated: Yesterday at 3:30 PM CDT

CFL

Toronto Argonauts' Kevin Mital (10) is tackled by Montreal Alouettes' Geoffrey Cantin-Arku (9) during first half CFL football action in Montreal on Friday, June 12, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

Montreal Alouettes linebacker Cantin-Arku claims Jake Gaudaur Veterans’ Award

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Montreal Alouettes linebacker Cantin-Arku claims Jake Gaudaur Veterans’ Award

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 12:50 PM CDT

MONTREAL - Montreal Alouettes linebacker Geoffrey Cantin-Arku was awarded the Jake Gaudaur Veterans’ Award on Thursday.

The honour recognizes a Canadian CFL player who best embodies the qualities of Canada’s veterans, including strength, perseverance, courage, comradeship and community service.

The award is named after Gaudaur, a distinguished Second World War veteran and two-time Grey Cup champion who served as the CFL's longest-tenured commissioner from 1968 to 1984.

Gaudaur died at the age of 87 in 2007.

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Yesterday at 12:50 PM CDT

CFL

Edmonton Elks' Zach Mathis (centre) scores a touchdown under pressure from Calgary Stampeders' Kelechi Anyalebechi (51) and BoPete Keyes (35) during second half CFL football action in Edmonton on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Codie McLachlan

Versatile receiver Mathis giving Elks a boost ahead of Bombers clash

John Korobanik, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Versatile receiver Mathis giving Elks a boost ahead of Bombers clash

John Korobanik, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 4:14 PM CDT

EDMONTON - Edmonton Elks wide receiver Zach Mathis has an interesting statistic line: one receiving touchdown, one interception return touchdown.

Mathis's 48-yard interception return touchdown in Edmonton’s 27-12 victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats last weekend gave the third-year Elk an equal number of touchdowns on both sides of the ball.

"That’s an amazing stat just to have that," Elks quarterback Cody Fajardo said of the unusual stat. "He’s a guy who’s been on and off the roster all year. We’ve asked him to do a lot of things special team wise. Obviously, everyone wants to be a starting player and when you have to do that grunt work of the special team week after week it gets monotonous, but he’s put his head down.

“He’s a glue guy for this team.”

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Updated: Yesterday at 4:14 PM CDT

CFL

Calgary Stampeders equipment manager George Hopkins moves training gear during the first of training camp in Calgary, Sunday, May 11, 2025. Hopkins has been on the Stampeders staf for over 50 years. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

After 55 years and six Grey Cups, Stampeders equipment manager calls it a career

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

After 55 years and six Grey Cups, Stampeders equipment manager calls it a career

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 12:30 PM CDT

CALGARY - Calgary Stampeders equipment manager George Hopkins will step down after 55 years with the team at the end of the CFL season.

Hopkins was hired by the team at age 13 as a ball boy in 1972 and has overseen equipment since 1977.

The Stampeders said Thursday the 67-year-old Calgarian will remain in the organization as an ambassador.

"Geo has been an important part of the Calgary Stampeders family, and his contributions extend far beyond his role as equipment manager,” Stampeders president Jay McNeil said. "He has built lasting relationships throughout our club and earned the respect of everyone who has had the privilege of working with him. 

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Updated: Yesterday at 12:30 PM CDT

Bomber Report

Timothy Matwey / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Trey Vaval leads the league in punt return yards, sits third in kickoff return yards and ranks second with two return touchdowns — including a second-half opening 88-yarder Saturday against the Calgary Stampeders.

Vaval continues to dominate special teams while lighting up defensive stats

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Preview

Vaval continues to dominate special teams while lighting up defensive stats

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026

Trey Vaval’s CFL career was almost over before it even started.

A month and a half before he was scheduled to report to Winnipeg for Blue Bombers rookie camp, Vaval broke his left hand in a motocross accident. An unsuccessful jump sent him flying over the handlebars before the bike came down and crushed his hand.

“As soon as I got up and got off the track, I felt good,” said Vaval after Wednesday’s closed practice.

Even a nurse on site checked him out and told him he likely had nothing more than a sprained wrist.

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Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026

CFL

B.C. Lions' Casey Sayles, back left, strips the ball from the hands of Ottawa Redblacks quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson (3) forcing a turnover during the second half of a CFL football game, in Vancouver, on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

‘We’re getting hot at the right time’: Time, confidence key to B.C. Lions’ turnaround

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

‘We’re getting hot at the right time’: Time, confidence key to B.C. Lions’ turnaround

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026

SURREY - A shaky start to the CFL season didn't dim the B.C. Lions' big aspirations. 

Inside the locker room, there's always been a belief that the team could achieve great things this year, said defensive lineman Casey Sayles. 

"Sometimes good things take time to kind of develop," he said. "But we knew the team that we were and that we have. And it's been great to have the journey."

After starting the 2026 campaign with a 1-5 record, the Lions (10-6) have wins in nine of their last 10 games.

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Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026

CFL

Canadian Football League logo on a football at opening day of CFL training camp in Guelph, Ont., on Sunday, May 11, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn

CFL promotes Greg Dick to deputy commissioner, effective immediately.

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

CFL promotes Greg Dick to deputy commissioner, effective immediately.

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026

TORONTO - The CFL appointed Greg Dick as its deputy commissioner Wednesday.

The move is effective immediately.

Dick had been the CFL's chief football operations officer and head of Grey Cup and events since 2023.

Dick joined the CFL in 2016 as senior vice-president of operations and finance. He also served as chief operating officer, chief financial officer, treasurer, secretary and head of football operations.

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Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026

CFL

Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Trevor Harris throws a pass during first half CFL football action against the Montreal Alouettes in Montreal, on Monday, Oct. 12,2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Defending-champion Roughriders having their struggles late in CFL regular season

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Defending-champion Roughriders having their struggles late in CFL regular season

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026

These are difficult times for quarterback Trevor Harris and the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

The defending Grey Cup champions have dropped four straight games. And matters don't get any easier Saturday when Saskatchewan (8-8) hosts Montreal (13-3) to complete a home-and-home series.

The Alouettes took last week's contest 44-24 at Molson Stadium, the first meeting between the two teams since last year's Grey Cup game.

But Saskatchewan would punch its playoff ticket with a win over Montreal and a loss by either Calgary or Winnipeg loss. The Blue Bombers (8-8) visit the Edmonton Elks (12-4) on Friday night while the Stampeders (8-9) host the B.C. Lions (10-6) on Saturday night.

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Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026

CFL

Ottawa Redblacks quaterback Bryson Barnes (17) protects the ball from Montreal Alouettes' Najee Murray (12) during second half CFL football action in Montreal, on Thursday, August 20, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

Ottawa Redblacks to start rookie Bryson Barnes versus Toronto Argonauts

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Ottawa Redblacks to start rookie Bryson Barnes versus Toronto Argonauts

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026

OTTAWA - Rookie Bryson Barnes will get the start Friday night when the Ottawa Redblacks (0-16) host the Toronto Argonauts (9-7).

Ryan Dinwiddie, Ottawa's head coach/GM, made the announcement following Wednesday's practice.

The expectation is Barnes will also start Ottawa's regular-season finale in Hamilton on Oct. 24.

Barnes, 25, will become Ottawa's third starting quarterback this season after veterans Jake Maier and McLeod Bethel-Thompson.

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Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026

CFL

Edmonton Elks defensive lineman Malik Carney (2) celebrates after a play against the Saskatchewan Roughriders during first-half CFL football action in Regina on Thursday, July 23, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Kayle Neis

Carney, Alexander, Collaros named top players for Week 19 of CFL season

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Carney, Alexander, Collaros named top players for Week 19 of CFL season

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026

TORONTO - Edmonton Elks defensive lineman Malik Carney, Montreal Alouettes quarterback Davis Alexander and Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros have been named the top players for Week 19 of the CFL season.

Carney recorded a career-high four sacks totalling 21 yards, along with six defensive tackles and one pass knockdown, in Edmonton's 27-12 win over Hamilton on Friday that moved the Elks closer to wrapping up top spot in the West Division.

The defensive lineman also forced a fumble on Hamilton's final offensive play to secure the victory and recorded his third multi-sack game of the season.

Alexander completed 26-of-33 passes for 403 yards and a career-high five touchdowns in Montreal's 44-24 win over Saskatchewan on Monday, marking his fifth 400-yard game of the season.

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Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026

Bomber Report

John Woods / THE CANADIAN PRESS Winnipeg Blue Bombers receiver Dorian Singer is beginning to remind quarterback Zach Collaros of former favourite target Kenny Lawler.

Bombers continue to be a mystery

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Preview

Bombers continue to be a mystery

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026

Not even Mike O’Shea can put his finger on the 2026 edition of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

At times, his team has resembled a flaming dumpster. At others — including Saturday’s crucial 33-28 victory over the Calgary Stampeders — it has looked like a legitimate Grey Cup contender.

Despite all the twists and turns, the Bombers are now in position to clinch a playoff spot this week if they can beat the first-place Edmonton Elks (12-4) at Commonwealth Stadium on Friday.

“Every year is different, but this one feels a little odd,” O’Shea said with a laugh after Tuesday’s practice at Fort Garry Lions Field.

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Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026

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