Redblacks’ QB Dru Brown clears concussion protocol, will start vs. Elks

Photo courtesy: Scott Grant/CFLPhotoArchive.com

Quarterback Dru Brown has cleared concussion protocol and will start for his team on Sunday, according to TSN 1200’s A.J. Jakubec.

The 27-year-old native of Palo Alto, Calif. was injured on an illegal hit from strong-side linebacker Redha Kramdi during his team’s Week 5 loss to Winnipeg, which drew a 15-yard penalty for roughing the passer. Brown was forced to exit the game before half-time and was limited in practice on Wednesday, before being fully cleared to participate.

Redblacks’ head coach Bob Dyce told TSN 1200 that he didn’t like the hit, though backup quarterback Dustin Crum didn’t feel the hit was dirty. The CFL slapped Kramdi with a maximum fine for his actions, though he apologized in a post-game interview with 3DownNation reporter John Hodge and made it clear that he didn’t intend to hurt his former teammate.

The five-foot-eleven, 192-pound passer has completed 59.3 percent of his passes for 819 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception over four starts this season, helping the Redblacks off to a 2-2 start.

The Ottawa Redblacks (2-2) will visit the Edmonton Elks (0-4) on Sunday, July 14 at Commonwealth Stadium with kickoff slated for 7:00 p.m. EDT.