Stampeders in Week 9 — QB Vernon Adams Jr. up in air to play host Redblacks

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The Calgary Stampeders experienced life without Vernon Adams Jr. for the entire fourth quarter in Week 8 of the 2025 Canadian Football League schedule.

The end result?

An anemic offence in being shutout in the final frame and a loss — only their second of the CFL season — as part of a tight 23-21 decision to the visiting Montreal Alouettes.

“Oh … we had our chances,” lamented Stampeders GM/head coach Dave Dickenson in looking back at last Thursday’s affair, which ended with dynamic quarterback Adams on the bench due to league-mandated protocol after taking a hit to the head.

“I mean … Vernon’s a big part of our success, so he’s doing a lot of great things for our team, and he made a lot of good plays in that game,” continued Dickenson. “But when you lose your quarterback, it does — I think as a team — make you start thinking like, ‘Oh, what’s going on with Vernon? What’s this? What’s that?’ But we have faith in other guys, and we’ve got to put whoever’s in there in the best position to win.

“And offensively, we didn’t have a great fourth quarter — you could feel it was kind of like a slow bleed.”

The slow wait is now on to see if Adams returns to the lineup this Thursday, when the Stampeders (5-2) visit the nation’s capital to play the Ottawa RedBlacks (1-6) at TD Place (5:30 p.m., TSN, CHQR 770 AM/107.3 FM the Edge).

What’s the situation at QB?

Adams’ status is up in the air to start against the Redblacks.

He practised Sunday but was “pulled back” Monday and is in continued talks with the training staff after taking a hit Thursday from Alouettes defender Tyrice Beverette, with the quarterback trying to scramble for a first down late in the third quarter.

“You know … I just took a hit — I think — from the side and kind of just rung my ear,” Adams said. “And I saw the tape, obviously, where I got up a little wobbly.

“But I felt like I was good enough to go back. But … you know … we’ve got to do the protocol and play it safe.”

With Adams out, the Stamps turned to backup QB P.J. Walker, and it didn’t go well.

The Red and White earned only one first down in four drives and were outscored 9-0 in the fourth quarter to essentially give the game away to the Alouettes. Walker finished just 3-of-7 passing for 20 yards in his first real time to shine for the Stamps.

But Dickenson correctly pointed out it wasn’t all Walker’s fault. The Alouettes made adjustments to shut down Dedrick Mills and the Stamps’ run game in the fourth after it had owned the visitors’ defence for five-plus yards on most carries during the previous three quarters.

“We weren’t able to get P.J. into manageable situations,” Dickenson said. “Early in the game in the first three quarters, when we were running the ball, we were getting yardage and we were getting the quarterback into a better situation. It’s hard when you get into second down and 10 (yards) and second down and 11. We just didn’t have that good flow for him in the run game, which put him in some tough spots.

“But … yeah … he’s going to have to learn to fly,” continued Dickenson, of Walker. “And like I do think he’s got a lot of talent and a guy that puts a lot of work into it. The only way you really know is to do it in a game situation.

“So I’m sure he’s chomping at the bit to keep playing and keep getting his opportunities.”

In other words, if Adams can’t go Thursday, expect Walker to get the start against the Redblacks.

What’s up with the Redblacks?

Not a lot has gone right for the Redblacks this season.

In fact, it took monsoon-like conditions for them to get their only win so far of 2025. That, of course, came in Calgary in Week 3 at McMahon Stadium in an ugly 20-12 contest.

So vengeance is on the mind of the Stampeders.

“Yes … we all are,” said Adams, when asked if they are looking forward to the Redblacks and redemption. “You know … we had a kind of sloppy game last time in the rain and everything, so we’re hoping to go out there and handle business this time.”

Adams himself is looking for a lift — injury aside — after Thursday’s loss.

Sure, he had his moments in going 15-of-25 for 193 yards and a sweet over-the-top touchdown toss of 33 yards to Dominique Rhymes while on the move.

But after that second-quarter TD, Adams suddenly struggled in missing eight straight passes, which marked a turning point ahead of halftime.

“Yes … just not good enough,” said Adams, in being his own worst critic. “I know at the end in the half, we had four two-and-outs as an offence, and that’s not good.

“It doesn’t help our defence out,” continued Adams. “They’re getting us the ball back, and we’re getting off the field within two plays.

“We get three (points) out of one of those two and outs, and we might win a game. So that’s a lot on me. I made a wrong read on one of those (incomplete passes), and I wish I could have it back.

“So we just have to be better from that aspect to help them out — get some type of points. And then to finish the game, we’ve got to finish in the fourth quarter, too.”

But the Redblacks should be ready, as the third of four straight Stamps foes to be waiting for them off a bye week.

Who else is banged up?

Pretty much everyone on the Stamps has got to be feeling it.

After all, they’re heading into their fourth game in 20 days, and last week’s contest took a toll on them health-wise.

Adams wasn’t the only casualty on the offence. So, too, were a couple of his key receivers — rookie Damien Alford and veteran Jalen Philpot both suffered hamstring injuries. And neither participated in practice Sunday, but Philpot was a limited participant Monday.

To boot, the offence is still without clutch receiver Clark Barnes, who’s still got an ankle issue and didn’t practise Sunday or Monday.

“It’s tough on the guys, definitely in the trenches,” added Adams, of the tight schedule. “I feel for those guys (on the offensive line), but these guys are working hard, they’re hitting the weight room, and they’re doing what they need to do to get their bodies together. So we had a little lighter practice, I think, just to get guys (healthy) — we got some guys down. So guys are doing what they need to do to be out here.”

Short yardage

With injuries to multiple defensive backs last week — Adrian Greene (lower body) and Ben Labrosse (hamstring) were both lost at the field-side cornerback spot, the Stampeders have signed Canadian DB Dolani Robinson. The 6-foot-3, 194-lb. Robinson attended training camp with the Stampeders in May and participated in both pre-season games, notching two defensive tackles, one special-teams tackle and one knockdown. The native of Jamaica and 2024 Canada West all-star with the U SPORTS’ Regina Rams was among the final round of roster cuts at the conclusion of camp … DB Tyler Richardson (groin), who started the first four games for the Stamps at boundary-side corner, and DB Jackson Sombach (hamstring) are also injured secondary talents … Labrosse did not practise Monday, while Sombach was a limited participant at practice Monday, as was LS Aaron Crawford (knee) … Other injured Stamps practising fully at Monday’s session were OL Josh Coker (ankle) — the starter at right tackle — LB Kelechi Anyalebechi (foot) and LB Justin Herdman-Reed (neck).

tsaelhof@postmedia.com

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