The Edmonton Elks will be without a number of prominent players when they open their season on Saturday against the B.C. Lions, including three projected starters in the secondary.
The team has ruled out all-star halfback Aaron Grymes, up-and-coming cornerback Nafees Lyon, and controversial safety Duron Carter due to injury. Lyon is battling an illness, while neither Carter or Grymes practiced all week with ankle and knee injuries respectively.
Grymes registered 51 defensive tackles and one interception in 13 starts at field-side halfback in 2021. The 30-year-old played one season with the B.C. Lions in 2019 but the rest of his career has been spent in Edmonton.
The University of Idaho product has made 286 defensive tackles, 19 special teams tackles, 13 interceptions, two forced fumbles, and one sack in 95 career regular-season games, winning a Grey Cup and being named a CFL all-star in 2015.
Carter has been battling his ankle injury all camp and did not dress for either of Edmonton’s preseason games. Head coach and general manager Chris Jones has previously indicated that he would like the converted receiver to play at safety. T
Carter did not play professional football in 2021 as he served as the head coach at North Palm Beach Prep in Port Saint Lucie, Fla. He also ran the team’s defence, which he feels has given him greater understanding and appreciation for the defensive side of the game.
The 31-year-old was named a CFL all-star at receiver with the Montreal Alouettes in 2014 and the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2017. He started practicing at defensive back with the Riders late during the 2017 season and started five games at cornerback the following year, recording 11 tackles and one interception.
Other impact players who will not play in the first game of the season include starting left tackle Tony Washington and recently acquired backup Martez Ivey, veteran NFL defensive tackle Daniel Ross, 2021 Most Outstanding Rookie nominee Nyles Morgan, and versatile defensive end Tobi Antigha.
