The Ottawa Redblacks will have defensive back Brandin Dandridge in the lineup for the first time this season when they take on the Calgary Stampeders.
The 27-year-old native of Lee’s Summit, Mo. completed a stint on the six-game injured list to open the season and missed last week’s tie against Saskatchewan with a knee injury. He will start at boundary cornerback, pushing Deandre Lamont to field-side halfback and Bennett Williams to the practice roster.
Dandridge had a career year in 2023, making 24 defensive tackles and five interceptions over 13 games. He was also named the team’s nominee for Most Outstanding Special Teams Player after returning 45 punts for 539 yards and a touchdown and 15 kickoffs for 328 yards.
The most prominent change for the Redblacks this week is Jeremiah Masoli taking over under centre, which was previously announced. Dru Brown is out with a foot injury he sustained last week, while Dustin Crum, who played in place of Brown against the Roughriders, will be Masoli’s primary backup. Tyrie Adams, who won his only start last season prior to suffering a torn ACL, will be the third-stringer.
Rookie phenom Kalil Pimpleton has been added to the six-game injured list due to a problem with his hand. The 24-year-old native of Muskegon, Mi. caught 18 passes for 315 yards and one touchdown over four games this season and also returned one punt for a touchdown. Jaelon Acklin will take over his spot at boundary wide receiver with Bralon Addison returning to the starting lineup at slotback.
Ottawa has also shuffled its offensive line with Cyrille Hogan-Saindon, a two-year starter at centre, being replaced by Eric Starczala. The University of Guelph product was a seventh-round pick in the 2019 CFL Draft and has since dressed for only two career games with zero starts. Hogan-Saindon is a healthy scratch.
The Ottawa Redblacks (5-2-1) will visit the Calgary Stampeders (4-5) on Thursday, Aug. 15 with kickoff slated for 9:00 p.m. EDT.
