The Calgary Stampeders will be without a promising young Canadian after placing rookie receiver Clark Barnes on the six-game injured list ahead of Friday’s matchup with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Barnes was unable to practice this week after suffering a knee injury against the B.C. Lions in Week 10. The Guelph product has become an impact contributor in multiple phases for the Stampeders since he was selected in the third round, 24th overall, of the 2023 CFL Draft.
The six-foot-one, 199-pound receiver currently sits ninth in the CFL with 724 combined yards. He has caught 25 passes for 234 yards and a touchdown as a starting receiver, while also fielding 18 kickoffs for 379 yards and two missed field goals for 111 yards.
Fellow returner Tommylee Lewis draws into the starting lineup in place of Barnes, while recent signee Markeith Ambles will dress for the first time as a backup and should see significant reps. The 31-year-old has 189 catches for 2,136 yards and 12 touchdowns in five CFL seasons with the Stampeders and Argos.
Elsewhere on the roster, the Stampeders have demoted third-string quarterback Chris Reynolds to the practice roster after he went one-of-two for five yards and an interception in a relief appearance last week. Fellow rookie Logan Bonner of Utah State will draw in as the final name on the QB depth chart.
The team will also receive a large boost on special teams, as starting long-snapper Aaron Crawford returns from a calf injury and knocks emergency replacement Maxime Latour off the roster. Canadian defensive lineman Elliott Graham will also dress, while American defensive back Brad Muhammad (hip) has been placed on the one-game injured list.
The Stampeders (3-6) are scheduled to host the Blue Bombers (7-2) on Friday, August 18 with kickoff slated for 9:00 p.m. EDT. The clubs previously met in Week 5 as the Blue Bombers came away with a 24-11 victory at IG Field.
