Brayden Schager's One-Eyed Heroics Put Saskatchewan Roughriders Quarterback Battle in Sharp Focus

Backup quarterback Brayden Schager played through a swollen right eye — the result of a finger through the facemask by Winnipeg defensive lineman David Reese — to lead a game-winning 84-yard drive and throw a touchdown to Daniel Wiebe in the dying moments of Saskatchewan's 31–27 preseason win over the Blue Bombers on May 23 in Saskatoon. Schager finished 14-of-19 for 179 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Through two preseason games he compiled 318 yards passing. Head coach Corey Mace must now decide whether Schager or Jack Coan will serve as backup to starter Trevor Harris when final cuts are due May 30.

Sources: 3DownNation

Canadian Defensive Back Enock Makonzo Retires from Toronto Argonauts Before 2026 Season

Canadian defensive back Enock Makonzo, 29, has retired from the Canadian Football League, the Toronto Argonauts confirmed Monday. A native of Lachine, Que., Makonzo was originally selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2022 CFL Draft by the Edmonton Elks, recording 67 defensive tackles, two sacks, and two forced fumbles over 22 regular-season games. After stints with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Winnipeg Blue Bombers where injury prevented him from playing, he signed with Toronto in February. An article on the Argonauts' website had identified Makonzo as the projected starter at safety, a role the club had targeted as a Canadian-designated position for 2026.

Sources: 3DownNation

Ottawa Redblacks Place 2026 Draft Pick Emeric Boutin and Defensive Back King Ambers on Six-Game Injured List

The Ottawa Redblacks placed Canadian fullback Emeric Boutin and Canadian defensive back King Ambers on the six-game injured list Monday. Boutin, a second-round selection (13th overall) in the 2026 CFL Canadian Draft, suffered an undisclosed injury during Ottawa's 27–12 preseason win over the Montreal Alouettes on May 22 at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium. Ambers, a 26-year-old eighth-round pick from the 2025 draft, limped off with what appeared to be a lower-body injury in the same game. Ottawa signed American receivers Carl Chester and Kajiya Hollawayne, along with linebacker Taniela Latu, to fill the vacated roster spots.

Sources: 3DownNation

B.C. Lions Release Running Back Tony Jones Jr. and Defensive Back D.K. Kaufman Ahead of Final Cutdown

The B.C. Lions released American running back Tony Jones Jr. and American defensive back Donovan “D.K.” Kaufman on Monday, continuing the roster-trimming process ahead of the league's final cutdown deadline on May 30. Jones Jr., who signed with the Lions in January, carried the ball three times for 11 yards in B.C.'s 34–16 preseason loss to the Edmonton Elks on May 23. The Notre Dame product rushed for 329 yards and three touchdowns across 26 NFL regular-season games with the Saints, Seahawks, and Cardinals. Kaufman, who attended Auburn and North Carolina State, recorded one defensive tackle in the same preseason game.

Sources: 3DownNation

Isaiah Wooden Sr. Returns to Hamilton Tiger-Cats After Cleveland Browns Release Return Specialist

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats re-signed American receiver and returner Isaiah Wooden Sr., 26, on Monday after the Cleveland Browns waived him on May 19. Wooden spent the 2024 and 2025 CFL seasons with Hamilton, recording 45 kickoff returns for 1,185 yards and two touchdowns, plus 38 punt returns for 570 yards and one touchdown across 15 games. He led the CFL in punt return average in 2025 at 15.0 yards per return and ranked second in kickoff return average at 26.3 yards. Veteran returner Mario Alford was released to make room. Training camp concludes May 30 ahead of Hamilton's June 4 season opener against Montreal.

Sources: 3DownNation

CFL Launches First Official Season-Long Fantasy Game Ahead of June 4 Season Opener

The Canadian Football League officially launched its first season-long fantasy game Monday, giving fans a new way to engage with the league ahead of the June 4 regular-season opener. Public leagues pair random participants, while private leagues allow groups of friends to compete with a shared code. Each 13-player roster includes a quarterback superflex, running back, three receivers, a national flex position, a kicker, and a defence and special teams unit. Leagues are customizable for trade deadlines, playoff format, and draft timing. CFL Commissioner Stewart Johnston called it “the perfect way to dive deeper into fandom” for new and longtime fans alike.

Sources: 3DownNation

Halifax Stadium Proposal and Quebec City Reversal Reignite CFL Expansion Conversation

CFL expansion to a tenth franchise gained momentum this week with two significant developments discussed on the 3DownNation Podcast. A Ridgehaven Holdings proposal for a $1.5-billion entertainment district near Halifax — including a stadium seating over 25,000 — suggests a Maritime franchise could begin play as early as 2027 at Saint Mary's University before moving to the completed facility by 2030. Separately, Jacques Tanguay, the prominent businessman behind Laval's Rouge et Or, reversed his long-held position on Quebec City, saying he would be “the most ardent supporter” of a CFL franchise there with new stadium infrastructure. Commissioner Stewart Johnston has said he wants a tenth team in place by 2030.

Sources: 3DownNation

What's Trending in the CFL