The B.C. Lions’ offence will look considerably different when they take on the Edmonton Elks.
Quarterback Dane Evans is set to make his first start in orange on Saturday, following the knee injury to starter Vernon Adams Jr. in Week 7. Adams escaped any major ligament damage and will remain on the roster as the third-stringer, but will not be able to play this week.
Evans, who was acquired via trade from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats this offseason, completed 16-of-25 pass attempts for 219 yards, one touchdown, and one interception after coming off the bench for the club’s 19-9 victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
The 29-year-old played 63 games over five seasons with Hamilton, throwing for 8,807 yards, 45 touchdowns, and 34 interceptions. He also carried the ball 125 times for 511 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Not available to Evans in his debut is all-star receiver Dominique Rhymes (knee), who has been placed on the one-game injured list. The 30-year-old was a CFL all-star for the first time in his career last season, collecting 85 receptions for 1,401 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Rhymes has appeared in five games this season, collecting 18 receptions for 276 yards and a league-leading five touchdowns. He will be replaced in the starting lineup by Canadian Justin McInnis, while Daniel Petermann also draws into the lineup.
In the backfield, electric newcomer Shaun Shivers will be a healthy scratch in order to accommodate the return of Taquan Mizzell to the lineup.
Shivers has played the past two games, rushing 24 times for 84 yards and a touchdown while catching five passes for 65 yards. Mizzell began the year as the starter, carrying 46 times for 246 yards and adding 10 receptions for 58 yards in four games.
Canadian running back Kienan LaFrance will also be a healthy scratch, while American linebacker Brooks Parker will dress on special teams.
The Lions (5-1) will visit the Elks (0-7) on Saturday, July 29 at 7:00 p.m. EDT. They are currently point favourites.
