Ben Labrosse keeps starting job despite all-star Adrian Greene’s return for Calgary Stampeders

Photo courtesy: Calgary Stampeders

The Calgary Stampeders will get a reigning all-star back in the lineup on Saturday afternoon when they face the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, but they don’t intend to use him with the starting unit.

Adrian Greene is slated to make his return after missing last week’s victory with an eye injury, but is listed as the backup at his usual field cornerback spot. The 27-year-old native of Toronto was named All-West Division with the Stampeders last season after making 39 defensive tackles, six interceptions, and two touchdowns over 13 regular-season games. In four games this year, he has registered 14 defensive tackles.

Former fourth-overall CFL Draft pick Ben Labrosse will start in place of Greene for a second week in a row, after he recorded three interceptions in a victory over Winnipeg last week. The native of Montreal had never previously recorded an interception in his career and was passed over for the starting job in favour of undrafted free agent Dolani Robinson, who has since been released, during an earlier injury to Greene this season.

Labrosse’s performance against the Bombers could be an indication of the step forward that the team hoped to see from the injury-plagued youngster in the final year of his rookie contract. As such, they intend to give him some run, at least on paper. However, it should be noted that Labrosse was listed as the starter at the start of the 2025 season, and Greene took over almost immediately.

2026 first-round pick Eric Rascoe’s battles with injury continue in his rookie year, as he has been placed on the six-game injured list with a bum shoulder. Terrence Ganyi will step in as Canadian depth in the linebacking corps. Canadian defensive back Jackson Sombach has been demoted to the practice roster to make room for Greene.

The Calgary Stampeders (3-4) will visit the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (3-4) at Hamilton Stadium on Saturday, August 1, with kickoff scheduled for 3:00 p.m. EDT. The Stampeders blew out the Winnipeg Blue Bombers this past week, while the Tiger-Cats fell 31-18 to the Montreal Alouettes.

The weather forecast in Hamilton calls for a high of 27 degrees and a 40 percent chance of rain. The game will be broadcast on TSN and CTV in Canada and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune in on 770 CHQR in Calgary or the Ticats Audio Network in Hamilton.

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