Samwise CFL Newsletter
Thursday, July 23, 2026
Saskatchewan Roughriders to Hold Tribute for Jayden Dalke and Crash Victim Before Week 8 Opener
The Saskatchewan Roughriders will hold pre-game tributes for team captain Jayden Dalke and car crash victim Bhishma Rajyaguru when they host the Edmonton Elks on Thursday night. Dalke, the Roughriders’ defensive captain, was killed in a two-vehicle collision on July 18 near Lumsden, Saskatchewan; Rajyaguru, 22, of Regina, also died in the crash. Players will wear Dalke’s initials on their helmets, and the team is working with the Rajyaguru family on how to best support them. General manager Jeremy O’Day confirmed the organization plans to honour Dalke before the game. The Roughriders described Rajyaguru as “a gifted percussionist with a deep love of music.”
Sources: TSN Global News Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Edmonton Elks, Saskatchewan Roughriders Battle for CFL West Lead in Week 8 Opener Tonight
The Edmonton Elks (5-1) and Saskatchewan Roughriders (4-1) open CFL Week 8 on Thursday night at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, with West Division first place on the line. Edmonton, ranked number one defensively in the CFL after seven weeks, enters as the division leader. The defending Grey Cup champion Roughriders return home looking to leapfrog the Elks atop the West. Saskatchewan will host the game under an emotional cloud, with players wearing the initials of team captain Jayden Dalke, who was killed in a car crash on July 18. TSN broadcasts the game at 9:00 p.m. ET.
Sources: TSN 3DownNation Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Davis Alexander Emerges as CFL Most Outstanding Player Frontrunner at Season’s One-Third Mark
Montreal Alouettes quarterback Davis Alexander has emerged as the frontrunner for the CFL Most Outstanding Player award at the season’s one-third mark, according to a 3DownNation analysis published Wednesday. Alexander leads the league with 2,181 passing yards and has not thrown an interception in 2026, setting a new CFL record of 336 consecutive pass attempts without a pick. The race was reshaped when Hamilton Tiger-Cats quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell, who had thrown for 1,107 yards, nine touchdowns, and one interception through four games, underwent ankle surgery on July 6 and was placed on the six-game injured list. Mitchell has not ruled out a return this season.
Sources: 3DownNation Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Montreal Alouettes Can Extend East Division Lead with Win Over Hamilton Tiger-Cats in Week 8
The Montreal Alouettes (5-1) host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (3-3) on Sunday in a key East Division matchup, with quarterback Davis Alexander leading the CFL in passing (2,181 yards) and holding the league record for consecutive pass attempts without an interception. A fourth consecutive win for Montreal would push the Alouettes six points ahead of the Tiger-Cats atop the East and give them the season series tiebreaker should both teams finish with equal records. Hamilton will rely on Canadian quarterback Tre Ford, who threw for 218 yards and rushed for 109 yards in last week’s 24-23 win over Toronto. Sunday’s game kicks off at 7:00 p.m. ET on TSN.
Sources: Global News CFL.ca Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Calgary Stampeders Re-Sign Top Draft Pick Damien Alford After NFL Stint with Saints
The Calgary Stampeders re-signed Canadian wide receiver Damien Alford on Wednesday, bringing back their 2025 first-overall CFL Canadian Draft pick after his brief NFL stint. Alford, 21, had posted 20 receptions for 407 yards and five touchdowns across 15 games in his rookie season before signing with the New Orleans Saints on January 7, 2026. He was waived by New Orleans on June 17. Calgary also signed American defensive back Lance Boykin. General manager and head coach Dave Dickenson said Alford is “a special talent” who will make the offence “even more explosive.” The Stampeders (2-4) travel to Winnipeg on Friday.
Sources: 3DownNation TSN Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
BC Lions Turn to Chase Brice in Week 8 as Nathan Rourke Continues Shoulder Recovery
The BC Lions (1-4) enter Saturday’s home game against the Toronto Argonauts without starting quarterback Nathan Rourke, who is sidelined with a left shoulder injury sustained last week at Edmonton. Chase Brice is expected to make his first career CFL start, having completed 20 of 34 passes for 226 yards with four interceptions in relief. The Lions also added veteran quarterback Tyrie Adams to their QB room. Toronto’s Chad Kelly is 2-0 all-time against BC and has five 300-yard passing games this season. The Argonauts have averaged just 22 points per game over their past two contests. Rookie receiver Tyler Kahmann leads the CFL with five touchdown receptions.
Sources: CFL.ca 3DownNation Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Edmonton Elks Drop CFL Rights to Canadian NFL Lineman Isaiah Adams Following Firearms Charges
The Edmonton Elks dropped their CFL negotiation rights to Canadian offensive lineman Isaiah Adams on Wednesday, just one day after adding him to their list, after he was charged with multiple firearm-related offences in Ontario. Adams made international headlines this week when Durham Regional Police executed a warrant at a residence in Pickering, Ont., finding a loaded firearm with a prohibited overcapacity magazine reported stolen from the United States. Adams, a 6-foot-4, 315-pound offensive lineman, faces multiple firearm charges in his home province. In a corresponding move, the Elks added American offensive lineman Gavin Ortega to their negotiation list.
Sources: 3DownNation Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Eastern Conference
Eastern Division
1. Montreal Alouettes — 10 pts (5-1-0)
2. Hamilton Tiger-Cats — 6 pts (3-3-0)
3. Toronto Argonauts — 4 pts (2-4-0)
4. Ottawa Redblacks — 0 pts (0-6-0)
Western Conference
Western Division
1. Edmonton Elks — 10 pts (5-1-0)
2. Saskatchewan Roughriders — 8 pts (4-1-0)
3. Winnipeg Blue Bombers — 8 pts (4-2-0)
4. Calgary Stampeders — 4 pts (2-4-0)
5. BC Lions — 2 pts (1-4-0)
Curated by JD · samwise.agency