Elks turns to some fresh faces as they play the Stampeders on Labor Day – Edmonton
The Edmonton Elks are looking for consistency all season. The only real piece of consistency the Elks have found in a 3-8 season are injuries. The Elks will be bringing some new faces to Calgary on Monday when they take on the Stampeders in Labor Day Classic.
The Elks placed their best player, Kenny Lawler, on their six-game injured list on Sunday after sustaining an ankle injury in last week’s 25-18 loss to the Ottawa Redblacks. Lawler leads the Elks in receiving yards with 849 yards, which is fourth in the CFL and has scored five touchdows.
Defensive tackle Mak Henry is also on the six-game injured list with a calf condition. Henry leads the Elks in tackles for a four loss and has one quarterback sack.
Linebacker Nyles Morgan was a late addition to the Elks injury report during their practice week — he’s on the one-game injured list with a groin problem. Morgan, in his last five games since returning from a training camp ailment, has 34 defensive tackles, which is good for second place on the Elks. His 37 defensive plays are third on the team. Recipient Chris Osei-Kusi is injured on the one-game with a bad back.
Also, three Elks veterans were traded this week: offensive lineman David Beard, defensive lineman Thomas Costigan and defensive defender Nafees Lyon.
Opportunity will knock for multiplayer today. Dillon Mitchell will try to keep his strong start with the Elks alive – the receiver registered a 45-yard catch and a 33-yard return last week.
Recipient Jalin Marshall returns to the starting lineup for the first time since Week 1 against the BC Lions.
Canadian curator Vincent Forbes-Mombleu will see his first CFL start after a solid Usports career with Laval.
Returning Kevin Brown will make his CFL debut after a solid career with Incarnate Word in the FCS. Brown led the nation in average yards per carry in 2020 with a hasty average of 10.5.
In defense, five-year CFL veteran Avery Ellis will make his Elks debut after coming over from the Montreal Alouettes in the trade of Costigan and Lyon.
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Elks trades OL Beard to Hamilton for OL Gibbon
Nate Evans will start his first CFL game as a center linebacker, while Canadian defending defender Jamie Harry will take Lyon’s old spot in the wide corner.
Edmonton Elks quarterback Taylor Cornelius on the loss of David Beard and Mark Korte stepping in as starting point
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Entering the 2022 Labor Day Classic after winning last year’s game 32-20, the Elks will be looking for their first straight straight wins on Labor Day for the first time since 2005.
The Elks have been a much better road team than at home (0-5) this season, with a 3-3 record. Last week, the Elks missed the opportunity to break their franchise record of 13 games losing at home, but were unable to. Head coach Chris Jones feels like his team has been playing with some jitters lately.
“We have to have fun playing the game,” Jones said. “It seems like there has been a lot of pressure in the last two or three weeks and the team has been playing tight and tense. I told them to just go out and do what you’ve been doing playing the game all your life.”
Edmonton Elks head coach Chris Jones on turning to younger players due to injury
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The following are the expected offensive and defensive starters for the Elks:
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Quarterback: Taylor Cornelius
Running back: Ante Milanovich-Litre (Fullback: Tanner Green)
Offensive Line: Martez Ivey, David Foucault, Mark Korte, Tomas Jack-Kurdyla, Andrew Garnett
Recipients: Dillon Mitchell, Derel Walker, Jalin Marshall, Kai Locksley, Vincent Forbes-Mombeau
Defense
Defense Line: Avery Ellis, J-Min Pelley, Jake Ceresna, Matt Thomas
Linebackers: Adam Konar, Nate Evans, Enock Makanzo
Defensive Backs: Duron Carter, Ed Gainey, Scott Hutter, Treston Decoud, Jamie Harry
You can report live from the 2022 Labor Day Classic between the Elks and Stampeders at 630 CHED, starting with Countdown to Kickoff with Brenden Escott at 1 p.m.
The opening kick-off from McMahon Stadium in Calgary is at 2:30 PM with Morley Scott and Dave Campbell with analysis by former Edmonton Football Team offensive lineman and two-time Gray Cup champion Blake Dermott.
