Calgary Stampeders’ defensive back Elie Bouka ruled out for Thursday’s season-opener

Photo courtesy: Scott Grant/CFLPhotoArchive.com

Canadian defensive back Elie Bouka will not make his debut for the Calgary Stampeders on Friday night, according to the team’s injury report.

The 29-year-old did not practice this week due to a hamstring injury and will miss the club’s season-opener against the Montreal Alouettes. He was a candidate to replace Royce Metchie at safety after the veteran was traded to the Toronto Argonauts in February.

Bouka was a third-round pick of the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the 2016 CFL Draft out of the University of Calgary. He had brief stints with the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals and Philadelphia Eagles but still dressed for 28 games with the Riders, recording 15 total tackles, three interceptions, and one forced fumble.

The six-foot-one, 204-pound defensive back signed a one-year contract with the Stampeders in February.

Calgary has also ruled out defensive lineman Marcelis Branch (hip), linebacker Josiah Schakel (back) and punter Cody Grace (groin). Veteran defensive back Branden Dozier is listed as doubtful with a calf injury, while receiver Jalen Philpot — the club’s first-round pick in the 2022 CFL Draft — is listed as doubtful due to a hamstring injury.

The Stampeders are scheduled to host the Montreal Alouettes in the first game of the 2022 CFL regular season on Thursday at 9:00 p.m. ET.