Calgary Stampeders sit out Jaylon Hutchings, Folarin Orimolade against Winnipeg

Photo: Leah Hennel/CFL.ca

The Calgary Stampeders will not have two of their defensive stalwarts in the lineup against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Friday night after all. The issued its official depth chart on Thursday morning.

Jaylon Hutchings and Folarin Orimolade were both cleared to practice this week, making it appear they’d be available to boost the team’s defensive line. The former was a limited participant due to a hamstring injury, while the latter was a full participant coming off an Achilles tear he suffered last season. Despite that, both will sit for Week 1.

Hutchings signed a three-year contract with the team this past weekend, rejoining the squad on which he was named All-CFL in 2025. The six-foot, 304-pound defender signed with the Minnesota Vikings in January but was waived in April with an injury designation. He remained a free agent until he signed back with the Stampeders.

Orimolade suffered a torn Achilles in September. The 30-year-old made 19 defensive tackles and four sacks over 12 regular-season games in 2025, his first season back in Calgary since he was reacquired via trade.

“I thought (Orimolade) looked great,” said head coach and general manager Dave Dickenson during the practice week. “I’ve been ready to activate him for a couple of weeks now. He’s just flying around. I will be smart but if (he and Hutchings are) good to go, they’re playing.”

Instead, Orimolade has been placed on Calgary’s reserve roster, while Hutchings is on the one-game injured list. Also on the one-game injured list are Canadian receiver Clark Barnes, American linebacker Morice Blackwell II, and Canadian defensive back Anton Haie.

Dejon Brissett, who signed with the team in February, will start at field-side wideout. The Mississauga, Ont. native led the Toronto Argonauts with 65 catches for 907 yards and three touchdowns last season.

The Stampeders have also had to make a change at kicker with Rene Paredes being placed on the six-game injured list. Jude McAtamney, the team’s first-round pick in the 2026 CFL Global Draft, will handle placekicking duties. The native of Derry, Northern Ireland played collegiately at Rutgers University before a stint with the New York Giants.

Also on Calgary’s six-game injured list to open the season are American receiver Reggie Begelton, American offensive lineman Preston Nichols, Canadian defensive linemen Daniel Joseph and Justin Sambu, American defensive back Sheldon Arnold II, and Global defensive back Bailey Devine-Scott.

Damon Webb has shifted from safety to boundary halfback, with third-year veteran Jackson Sombach starting at safety. The 26-year-old defender was originally a seventh-round pick in the 2024 CFL Draft out of the University of Regina.

The Calgary Stampeders (0-0) will host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (0-0) at McMahon Stadium on Friday, June 5 with kickoff scheduled for 9:00 p.m. EDT. The Blue Bombers are coming off an East Semi-Final loss to the Montreal Alouettes, while the Stampeders lost last year’s West Semi-Final to the B.C. Lions.

The weather forecast in Calgary calls for a high of 20 degrees and a mix of sun and cloud. The game will be broadcast on TSN in Canada, CBS Sports Network in the United States, and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune-in on 680 CJOB in Winnipeg and 770 CHQR in Calgary.