Samwise CFL Newsletter
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
CFL Reinstates Ajou Ajou With Conditions; Calgary Stampeders Immediately Sign Wide Receiver
The Canadian Football League reinstated free agent wide receiver Ajou Ajou on June 30 with conditions, and the Calgary Stampeders quickly agreed to terms with the Canadian receiver. Ajou was suspended by the CFL in April after a third-party investigation found he made aggressive and unwelcome physical contact with multiple women at a Regina restaurant in November 2025. To earn reinstatement, Ajou completed 15 mandatory counselling sessions with a gender-based violence expert, a psychological assessment by an independent expert, and a meeting with Commissioner Stewart Johnston. He must still serve his six-game suspension before playing. Any future violations of the league’s gender-based violence policy could result in a lifetime ban.
Philpot, Alexander and Kelly Named CFL Week 4 Players of the Week
The CFL named its Week 4 Players of the Week on Tuesday, led by Montreal Alouettes receiver Tyson Philpot. The Canadian wideout recorded 12 catches for 198 yards in Sunday’s win over Ottawa, his third straight 100-yard receiving game of the season. Philpot leads the CFL with 36 receptions and 587 yards. Quarterback Davis Alexander shared offensive honours after completing 22 of 30 passes for 345 yards and two touchdowns, giving him league-leading totals of 1,478 passing yards. Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly earned the final offensive award for his role in Toronto’s 40-34 road win over Saskatchewan, completing 23 of 30 passes for 321 yards.
Dru Brown Dismisses Arm Strength Concerns in First Winnipeg Media Session After Ottawa Trade
Quarterback Dru Brown addressed reporters in Winnipeg on Monday for the first time since the Ottawa Redblacks traded him to the Blue Bombers, disputing criticism that followed him out the door. Redblacks head coach and GM Ryan Dinwiddie had said Brown became a distraction after requesting his release and cited arm strength as a factor in favouring starter Jake Maier. Brown said he was not surprised by the comments and acknowledged he was simply not Dinwiddie’s chosen quarterback. He disputed the arm strength characterization, saying the concern had never surfaced in his career and had never limited him in game situations. Brown welcomed the fresh start in Winnipeg.
Sources: 3DownNation Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Hamilton Tiger-Cats Lock Up Canadian Linebacker Ryan Baker Through 2027 Season
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats announced on Monday a contract extension for Canadian linebacker Ryan Baker through the 2027 season. The 26-year-old, a fifth-round pick in the 2024 CFL Draft, was set to become a free agent after this season. Baker has started three games at middle linebacker in place of injured starter Wynton McManis, recording 16 defensive tackles. Over 34 regular-season games with Hamilton, Baker has accumulated 67 defensive tackles and 14 special teams tackles. The Tiger-Cats are 2-1 on the season, coming off a bye week, and return to action Sunday, July 5, when they host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton.
Sources: 3DownNation CFL.ca Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Struggling BC Lions Fire Special Teams Coordinator Cory McDiarmid After Third Straight Loss
The BC Lions relieved special teams coordinator Cory McDiarmid of his duties Sunday evening, less than 24 hours after the club dropped a 41-33 decision to the Calgary Stampeders at Kelowna’s Apple Bowl. The announcement came with the Lions winless through three games, sitting last in the West Division. General manager Ryan Rigmaiden said the decision was made after careful consideration and in the best interest of the club. McDiarmid had served as the team’s special teams coordinator for the past two seasons. The firing came on the same evening Calgary’s Tyreik McAllister returned a punt 90 yards for a touchdown to effectively seal the Lions’ third consecutive loss.
Alouettes Survive Late Pimpleton Kickoff Return to Hold Off Redblacks 37-35 in Montreal
The Montreal Alouettes held off a fierce Redblacks rally to win 37-35 on Sunday night at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium, improving to 3-1. Montreal led 21-6 at halftime before Ottawa scored in the second half. Quarterback Davis Alexander completed 22 of 30 passes for 345 yards and two touchdowns, while Tyson Philpot caught 12 passes for 198 yards. Late in the fourth quarter, Ottawa’s Kalil Pimpleton returned a kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown to cut Montreal’s lead to two with 42 seconds remaining, but the Alouettes defence held on. Alexander was candid afterward, calling his own team’s performance awful despite the victory.
Elks’ Justin Rankin Chasing Historic Dual-1,000-Yard Season After Three-Game 100-Yard Rushing Streak
Edmonton Elks running back Justin Rankin has put together the best early rushing start in the CFL in over a decade, eclipsing 100 yards in each of his first three games: 102 against Ottawa, 179 against Montreal, and 106 against Winnipeg. Through three games, Rankin has 46 carries for 387 yards and four rushing touchdowns, adding 13 catches for 154 receiving yards. According to 3DownNation, his three consecutive 100-yard games are the first such streak since Kory Sheets accomplished the feat for Saskatchewan in 2013. Rankin told TSN he believes he can become the CFL’s first player to record 1,000 yards both rushing and receiving in a season.
Sources: 3DownNation TSN Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Undefeated Edmonton Elks Add Linebacker Jadon Pearson to Practice Roster
The Edmonton Elks bolstered their linebacker depth on Monday by adding American Jadon Pearson to the practice roster. The 25-year-old returns to Edmonton after appearing in two preseason games with the club earlier this season before being released at final cuts. Pearson (6-foot-1, 222 pounds) spent the 2025 season at Fresno State, appearing in 13 games and recording 106 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, three passes defended, a forced fumble, and a half sack. The addition comes as the undefeated Elks prepare for a Thursday night road game in Calgary on July 2. Edmonton is 3-0 and leads the West Division standings after four weeks of play.
Sources: 3DownNation Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Eastern Conference
Eastern Division
1. Montreal Alouettes — 6 pts (3-1-0)
2. Toronto Argonauts — 4 pts (2-1-0)
3. Hamilton Tiger-Cats — 4 pts (2-1-0)
4. Ottawa Redblacks — 0 pts (0-4-0)
Western Conference
Western Division
1. Edmonton Elks — 6 pts (3-0-0)
2. Saskatchewan Roughriders — 4 pts (2-1-0)
3. Winnipeg Blue Bombers — 2 pts (1-2-0)
4. Calgary Stampeders — 2 pts (1-2-0)
5. BC Lions — 0 pts (0-3-0)
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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