Edmonton Elks' running back Justin Rankin (5) jumps on the back of his teammate and offensive lineman Jordan Murray (68) following his touchdown against the Ottawa Redblacks during second-half CFL action in Ottawa, on Saturday, June 6, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby
Edmonton Elks' quarterback Cody Fajardo (7) tries to evade a tackle by Ottawa Redblacks' defensive lineman Habakkuk Baldonado (95) during the first half of regular-season CFL action in Ottawa, on Saturday, June 6, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby
Montreal Alouettes quarterback Davis Alexander throws the ball during first-half CFL preseason football action against the Ottawa Redblacks in Montreal, Friday, May 22, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter McCabe
EDMONTON - The Edmonton Elks moved back into the familiar confines of Commonwealth Stadium this week, but they still couldn鈥檛 escape the rain that has been their almost constant companion since early in training camp.
It is the rain, which is forecast for their home opener Saturday, that the Elks feel could give them an advantage against the unbeaten Montreal Alouettes.
鈥淥ur preseason game was in the rain, our first regular season game was in the rain, we practice in the rain a bunch,鈥 said cornerback JJ Ross. 鈥淥bviously it changes the offensive game plan a bit, but since we鈥檝e done it so much I think it鈥檚 an advantage for us.鈥
Quarterback Cody Fajardo directed the Elks to a 29-21 rain-drenched win in Ottawa two weeks ago, their first season-opening win since 2019. Playing in the rain won鈥檛 be an issue, he said.
鈥淲e鈥檝e had plenty of experience with it,鈥 he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been a rainy training camp, that helped us in the first game. I tell the guys the only way you can get better in the elements is to play in the elements, so I鈥檓 glad that coach always has us out there when it鈥檚 bad (weather), it鈥檚 rainy, it鈥檚 windy.鈥
Cornerback Tyrell Ford says defences love rainy game days because it can force offences to run the ball more than they maybe want to. That would be good news for Edmonton, which wants to keep Montreal quarterback David Alexander from scrambling and creating his broken-play magic.
Alexander is a primary focus of the Elks' defensive game plan.
鈥淲ith him the whole field is live and in play,鈥 said head coach Mark Kilam. 鈥淗e can make every throw; he鈥檚 pushing the ball downfield; he鈥檚 protecting throws. We鈥檙e going to have to be really disciplined in what we鈥檙e doing.鈥
The Elks' season-opening win was powered by running back Justin Rankin, who rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown and caught five passes for 94 yards. It was Rankin鈥檚 first-down runs that opened up the offensive playbook for Fajardo.
鈥淲hat a flip of the script from last year when we found ourselves in second and long a lot,鈥 Fajardo said. 鈥淲e have a great running game. When you get five, six yards a carry, it wears defences down.
鈥淒efences have to show their hand in second and medium (situations),鈥 he said. 鈥淪econd and long, they can get exotic, they can drop nine guys, you鈥檙e throwing into tight windows or check-downs, and they鈥檙e rallying and we鈥檙e off the field.
鈥淲e have to get into a rhythm as quickly as possible to give ourselves a chance.鈥
Both teams are missing key players. Edmonton is without defensive lineman Coulter Woodmansey, while Montreal will be without linebacker Tyrice Beverette.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a big loss for them,鈥 Kalim said of Beverette. 鈥淏ut the way they rotate their defensive personnel and their packages and the looks that they give, there鈥檒l be multiple people playing that position 鈥 we have to do a good job identifying what they鈥檙e doing.鈥
As for the Elks' line without Woodmansey, Jordan Murray is confident whoever slots in beside him will do the job.
鈥淚t鈥檚 the next man mentality,鈥 said the six-foot-eight, 300-pound guard. 鈥淲e鈥檙e going to have a plan 鈥 whoever is in there is going to get the job done.鈥
While Montreal is looking for a third straight win, Edmonton is looking to go 2-0 to open the season for the first time since 2019.
This report by 好色tvwas first published June 19, 2026.
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