Samwise CFL Newsletter
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Three BC Lions Receivers Ruled Out for Week 3 Visit to Hamilton
The BC Lions have ruled out three of their receivers ahead of Friday’s Week 3 visit to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Stanley Berryhill and Jevon Cottoy, both sidelined by thigh injuries, join Seven McGee (foot) on the unavailable list for the Friday night contest. The departures leave quarterback Nathan Rourke with reduced options at receiver as BC looks to avoid an 0-2 start — a record the Lions have not posted since 2019. Despite the injuries, Canadian wideout Justin McInnis turned in 10 catches for 129 yards in Week 2 and will be called upon to step up in a bigger role on Friday.
Sources: 3DownNation
Hamilton’s Wynton McManis Sidelined for Third Consecutive Game
Linebacker Wynton McManis has been ruled out for a third consecutive game as the Hamilton Tiger-Cats prepare to host the BC Lions on Friday. McManis, a prized free-agent acquisition during the 2026 offseason, has been sidelined by a knee injury that has kept him out since before Week 1. His ongoing absence is particularly notable as Hamilton prepares to face BC quarterback Nathan Rourke, widely regarded as one of the league’s elite signal-callers. The Tiger-Cats, coming off a 37-27 victory over Winnipeg in Week 2, will need to manage their linebacker depth as they defend home turf against a hungry Lions side.
Sources: 3DownNation
Canadian Receiver Samuel Emilus Matches Career-High with Three Touchdowns Against BC
Canadian receiver Samuel Emilus delivered one of Week 2’s standout performances, catching three touchdown passes for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in their 31-27 victory over the BC Lions. The hat trick tied Emilus’s single-game career-high and marked the second time in his five-season CFL career he had accomplished the feat. The CFL noted Emilus finished with six receptions for 91 yards against BC. The performance highlighted a strong week for Canadian receivers league-wide, with Canadians accounting for 53.4 per cent of receiving yards and 50.3 per cent of receptions while scoring 10 touchdowns in Week 2.
Sources: 3DownNation, CFL.ca
Rourke vs. Mitchell Headlines Friday Night Week 3 Showdown in Hamilton
The marquee quarterback matchup of Week 3 headlines Friday night’s CFL action as the BC Lions visit the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff on TSN. BC’s Nathan Rourke faces off against Bo Levi Mitchell, who has completed a league-leading 84.1 per cent of his passes for 594 yards, three touchdowns and one interception across the first two weeks. Mitchell carries a career record of 13-8 against BC, while Rourke is 2-2 against Hamilton. The Lions, sitting at 0-1 and missing three receivers to injury, have not started 0-2 since 2019 and are looking to avoid that outcome Friday.
Sources: 3DownNation, TSN
Saskatchewan Roughriders Sign Two National Players Ahead of Week 3
The Saskatchewan Roughriders bolstered their roster Wednesday by signing two National players ahead of Week 3: defensive back Jonathan Edouard and long snapper Mike Benson. The moves came as the defending Grey Cup champions addressed injury concerns at key positions, with safety Nelson Lokombo (ankle) and long snapper Aaron Crawford (knee) both sidelined in practice. Edouard, 30, earned National status after attending Carleton University and is a 2024 Grey Cup champion with the Toronto Argonauts. Benson, a Winnipeg native, spent five seasons with the Blue Bombers from 2021 to 2025, winning a Grey Cup in 2021 and making three consecutive championship appearances.
Sources: 3DownNation, TSN
Calgary Stampeders Re-Sign Defensive Lineman Savio Frazier
The Calgary Stampeders have re-signed American defensive lineman Savio Frazier, the team announced Wednesday. Frazier, six feet tall and 295 pounds, originally signed with Calgary in November 2025 before being released in May. A native of Hampton, Georgia, he completed his collegiate career at Miami University in Ohio in 2024, posting 24 tackles, five tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks across 14 games while earning the team’s defensive newcomer of the year award. The Stampeders, who lost their season opener 30-28 to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, are searching for their first win of 2026 and host the defending Grey Cup champion Saskatchewan Roughriders on Saturday.
Sources: 3DownNation
Ryan Dinwiddie Faces His Former Argonauts as Ottawa Hosts Toronto in Week 3
Ottawa Redblacks head coach Ryan Dinwiddie faces his former club this Saturday when the Toronto Argonauts visit the nation’s capital for a 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff. Dinwiddie compiled a 51-35 record in Toronto — winning two Grey Cups with the Argonauts — before joining Ottawa. Both teams are seeking their first win of 2026, each sitting at 0-1. Toronto’s Chad Kelly, who made his first CFL start in 581 days in Week 2, impressed with 28-of-46 passing for 445 yards and three touchdowns despite a 37-30 loss to Montreal. The Argonauts will look to build on Kelly’s strong performance and get their season on track.
Sources: CFL.ca
Eastern Conference
Eastern Division
1. Montreal Alouettes — 4 pts (2-0-0)
2. Hamilton Tiger-Cats — 2 pts (1-1-0)
3. Ottawa Redblacks — 0 pts (0-1-0)
4. Toronto Argonauts — 0 pts (0-1-0)
Western Conference
Western Division
1. Edmonton Elks — 2 pts (1-0-0)
2. Saskatchewan Roughriders — 2 pts (1-0-0)
3. Winnipeg Blue Bombers — 2 pts (1-1-0)
4. Calgary Stampeders — 0 pts (0-1-0)
5. BC Lions — 0 pts (0-1-0)
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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