Samwise CFL Newsletter
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Ottawa Trades QB Dru Brown to Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Signs McLeod Bethel-Thompson as Replacement
In a pair of simultaneous transactions on Tuesday, the Ottawa REDBLACKS traded starting quarterback Dru Brown to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and signed veteran pivot McLeod Bethel-Thompson as his replacement. Winnipeg acquired Brown along with a 2027 second-round pick in exchange for a 2027 first-round selection and a conditional 2028 second-rounder. The 29-year-old Brown went 12-13-1 as Ottawa’s starter over two seasons, completing 68.8 percent of his passes for 6,348 yards, 32 touchdowns, and 20 interceptions. Bethel-Thompson, a two-time Grey Cup champion with Toronto, has spent seven seasons across five CFL clubs, compiling 18,755 passing yards and 103 touchdowns.
Sources: 3DownNation, TSN, CFL.ca
Bo Levi Mitchell Throws Five Touchdowns as Hamilton Tiger-Cats Roll Past B.C. Lions 41–27
Hamilton Tiger-Cats quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell was nearly flawless on Saturday, completing 15 of 18 passes for 285 yards and five touchdowns in a dominant 41–27 home victory over the B.C. Lions. Mitchell was named the CFL’s offensive Player of the Week for his performance. Hamilton built a 27–9 lead before halftime and the result was never truly in doubt, with receiver Nick Cenacle hauling in nine catches for 120 yards and two scores. B.C. added two garbage-time touchdowns in the final four minutes; without them, the margin was considerably larger. The Lions were severely short-handed at receiver, with four starters absent due to injury.
Sources: 3DownNation, CFL.ca
Justin Rankin Posts Career-High 230 Scrimmage Yards as Edmonton Elks Edge Montreal Alouettes 32–29 in Overtime
Edmonton Elks running back Justin Rankin delivered a career-defining performance on Saturday, rushing 18 times for 179 yards and two third-quarter touchdowns before adding five catches for 51 yards, totalling a career-high 230 yards from scrimmage in a 32–29 overtime victory over the visiting Montreal Alouettes. Rankin, who also earned the CFL’s Player of the Week honour in Week 1, took home the award for a second time this season following the win. Edmonton improved to 2–0 on the year. The result was a tough loss for Montreal, which fell to 2–1 despite the Alouettes leading by as many as three points in the fourth quarter.
Tommy Stevens Scores Winning Touchdown in Overtime as Saskatchewan Roughriders Defeat Calgary Stampeders 40–37
The Saskatchewan Roughriders improved to 2–0 on the 2026 CFL season with a 40–37 overtime victory in Calgary on Saturday, as quarterback Tommy Stevens found the end zone on the decisive possession to complete the comeback. Running back A.J. Ouellette carried 18 times for 84 yards before leaving late with an ankle injury, casting his Week 4 availability in doubt. The Stampeders dropped to 0–2, with the overtime defeat leaving Calgary in search of its first points of the campaign. Saskatchewan hosts the Toronto Argonauts in a Week 4 contest on Friday night at Mosaic Stadium.
Sources: TSN, 3DownNation
Kevin Mital Posts Career-High 178 Receiving Yards as Toronto Argonauts Down Ottawa REDBLACKS 44–24
The Toronto Argonauts earned their first win of the 2026 season on Saturday afternoon, defeating the Ottawa REDBLACKS 44–24 at TD Place. Wide receiver Kevin Mital was the game’s standout performer, catching eight passes for a career-high 178 yards — including three receptions of 30 or more yards — and was named the CFL’s Player of the Week. Ottawa were overwhelmed throughout, allowing 44 points for the second time in as many home games this season. The loss dropped the REDBLACKS to 0–2, and Ottawa subsequently traded starter Dru Brown to Winnipeg and signed McLeod Bethel-Thompson on Tuesday.
Sources: CFL.ca, 3DownNation
B.C. Lions Star Justin McInnis Nursing Ankle Injury Ahead of Week 4, Receiver Corps in Crisis
The B.C. Lions are facing a significant injury crisis at receiver heading into Week 4. Star Canadian wideout Justin McInnis, who has logged 13 catches for 210 yards through two games, did not participate in Tuesday’s practice after tweaking his ankle late in Saturday’s 41–27 loss to Hamilton. McInnis was the only day-one starting receiver healthy enough to take the field in Week 3, with four other starting receivers ruled out — three of whom face likely six-game injured list stints. Head coach Rick Campbell’s club sits at 0–2 through three weeks, with the receiving corps situation compounding an already difficult stretch.
Sources: 3DownNation
Saskatchewan Roughriders to Debut All-White ‘Prairie Blizzard’ Uniforms in Friday’s Week 4 Home Game
The Saskatchewan Roughriders will debut their one-time ‘Prairie Blizzard’ uniform set during Friday night’s Week 4 home game against the Toronto Argonauts at Mosaic Stadium. The all-white look closely resembles the club’s standard road uniform but features white numerals and a custom white version of the Roughriders’ iconic logo on the sleeves, pants, and helmet, with black eliminated entirely to emphasize the team’s green and white identity. All game-worn jerseys will be handed directly to fans in attendance by players following the contest, with 500 retail versions also available for purchase. Saskatchewan has five distinct uniform combinations planned across the 2026 season.
Sources: 3DownNation, CFL.ca
Saskatchewan Running Back A.J. Ouellette Uncertain for Week 4 After Ankle Injury vs. Calgary
Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach Corey Mace confirmed Tuesday that running back A.J. Ouellette is uncertain for Friday’s home game against the Toronto Argonauts after sustaining an ankle injury during Saturday’s 40–37 overtime win over the Calgary Stampeders. Mace said the initial medical report was ‘certainly a relief’ and that the injury was ‘still trending’ in the right direction, adding the club would give Ouellette a day off before reassessing. The veteran back had carried 18 times for 84 yards against Calgary, his second consecutive strong outing of the young season. Saskatchewan hosts Toronto in a Week 4 matchup with playoff positioning implications already forming in the West.
Sources: 3DownNation, TSN
Eastern Conference
Eastern Division
1. Hamilton Tiger-Cats — 4 pts (2-1-0)
2. Montréal Alouettes — 4 pts (2-1-0)
3. Toronto Argonauts — 2 pts (1-1-0)
4. Ottawa REDBLACKS — 0 pts (0-2-0)
Western Conference
Western Division
1. Saskatchewan Roughriders — 4 pts (2-0-0)
2. Edmonton Elks — 4 pts (2-0-0)
3. Winnipeg Blue Bombers — 2 pts (1-1-0)
4. B.C. Lions — 0 pts (0-2-0)
5. Calgary Stampeders — 0 pts (0-2-0)
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.