# CFL Week 23: BC Lions (11-8) vs. Edmonton Elks (13-5) Game Preview, Injury Report and Predictions

Source page: https://profootballnewshub.com/cfl/news/cfl-week-23-bc-lions-11-8-vs-edmonton-elks-13-5-game-preview-injury-report-and-predictions

> BC Lions arrive as betting favorites in Edmonton despite trailing the Elks in the standings. The Lions sit at 11-8 and ride a one-game winning streak into Sa...

By Trey Downs · Published 2026-11-06 23:36 UTC

_Drafted with AI from our own data and checked by an editor._

[BC Lions](https://profootballnewshub.com/cfl/teams/bc-lions) arrive as betting favorites in Edmonton despite trailing the Elks in the standings.

The Lions sit at 11-8 and ride a one-game winning streak into Saturday night. The Elks counter at 13-5 but have dropped their last outing, a 9-16 setback to the Saskatchewan Roughriders in week 21.

## Game details

- When | Saturday, November 7, 2026 at 6:30 PM ET
- Line | BC Lions -1.5 | O/U 57.5 (market view)
- BC Lions record | 11-8
- Edmonton Elks record | 13-5

## The matchup

BC Lions enter off a 33-26 win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders in week 22, following a 10-34 loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and a 13-32 defeat at the hands of the Calgary Stampeders. Before that stretch, the Lions reeled off wins over the Ottawa Redblacks (41-20) and the Toronto Argonauts (24-17).

[Edmonton Elks](https://profootballnewshub.com/cfl/teams/edmonton-elks) come in having lost their most recent outing 9-16 to the Saskatchewan Roughriders, following a run that saw them beat the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 35-27 and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats twice, 27-12 and 37-35, with a 19-24 loss to the Toronto Argonauts mixed in. The two sides have already split their season series, with Edmonton winning 19-17 at home in week seven and falling 24-36 on the road in week five.

## Key matchups

Nathan Rourke leads the Lions with 4614 passing yards this season, and he will be matched against an Edmonton defense trying to slow him down while Cody Fajardo, who leads Edmonton with 4788 passing yards, operates on the other side.

On the ground, Zander Horvath has piled up 894 rushing yards for BC, while Edmonton counters with Justin Rankin, who leads the team with 1170 rushing yards. Through the air, Keon Hatcher Sr has been BC's top target with 1147 receiving yards, lining up across from Edmonton's Austin Mack, who has 1254 receiving yards on the season but whose availability is in question. Up front on defense, Darnell Sankey paces BC with 114 tackles, while Joel Dublanko leads Edmonton's defense with 72.

## Injuries that matter

BC Lions' injury report is heavy up front and in the secondary. Offensive tackles Brandon Yates (hand) and Chris Schleuger (knee) are both out, along with fellow tackle Kory Woodruff (knee). On defense, the Lions will be without David Gusta (head) and Jonah Tavai (thigh) along the line, and defensive backs Deontai Williams (head), Garry Peters (knee) and Jett Elad (hip) are all out as well. Running back James Butler (shoulder) is also out, and receiver Justin Mcinnis is questionable with an ankle issue.

Edmonton's list leans toward the offensive side. Receiver Austin Mack is doubtful with a calf injury, and fellow wideout Carter Kettyle is doubtful with a hamstring problem. Offensive tackles Carter O'Donnell (leg) and David Beard (ribs) are both doubtful, and fullback Jacob Plamondon (shoulder) carries the same designation. Running back Javon Leake (hamstring) and defensive back Chelen Garnes (knee) are both questionable, while linebacker Brock Mogensen (hamstring) and defensive lineman DK Bonhomme (knee) are out, along with defensive lineman Jared Brinkman, who is doubtful with a groin injury.

## Fantasy angles

Cody Fajardo leads Edmonton in passing yards with 4788 and should be in every lineup regardless of matchup.

Nathan Rourke isn't far behind at 4614 passing yards and gives BC owners a reliable starting option as well.

Justin Rankin has been Edmonton's workhorse all year, leading the team with 1170 rushing yards, and remains a strong start.

Keon Hatcher Sr has been BC's clear top target, racking up 1147 receiving yards, and should keep seeing volume.

Austin Mack leads Edmonton with 1254 receiving yards on the season, but he is doubtful with a calf injury, so check his status before trusting him in lineups.

## The pick

The betting market has BC Lions as 1.5-point favorites, with the total set at 57.5 and a market score of 30-28 in BC's favor. With Nathan Rourke's passing numbers humming and Edmonton dealing with questions at receiver, the Lions look like a live road side. Mark it down, folks: this one shapes up as a coin flip with a slight west-coast tilt.

## Injury report

- Player | Team | Pos | Status
- Brandon Yates | BC Lions | OT | Out
- Chris Schleuger | BC Lions | OT | Out
- David Gusta | BC Lions | DL | Out
- Deontai Williams | BC Lions | DB | Out
- Garry Peters | BC Lions | DB | Out
- James Butler | BC Lions | RB | Out
- Jett Elad | BC Lions | DB | Out
- Jonah Tavai | BC Lions | DL | Out
- Justin Mcinnis | BC Lions | WR | Questionable
- Kory Woodruff | BC Lions | OT | Out
- Austin Mack | Edmonton Elks | WR | Doubtful
- Brock Mogensen | Edmonton Elks | LB | Out
- Carter Kettyle | Edmonton Elks | WR | Doubtful
- Carter O'Donnell | Edmonton Elks | OT | Doubtful
- Chelen Garnes | Edmonton Elks | DB | Questionable
- David Beard | Edmonton Elks | OT | Doubtful
- DK Bonhomme | Edmonton Elks | DL | Out
- Jacob Plamondon | Edmonton Elks | FB | Doubtful
- Jared Brinkman | Edmonton Elks | DL | Doubtful
- Javon Leake | Edmonton Elks | RB | Questionable

## Recent results

- Team | Last games
- BC Lions | Wk22 W 33-26 vs Saskatchewan Roughriders, Wk21 L 10-34 vs Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Wk20 L 13-32 vs Calgary Stampeders
- Edmonton Elks | Wk21 L 9-16 vs Saskatchewan Roughriders, Wk20 W 35-27 vs Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Wk19 W 27-12 vs Hamilton Tiger-Cats

*Written by Trey Downs, an AI analyst, from News Hub Fantasy data (schedule, scores, box scores, injuries and depth charts). A second AI checked every claim against that data before it was published. Read how we use AI in our [editorial standards](https://profootballnewshub.com/editorial-standards).*

From Pro Football News Hub. More at https://profootballnewshub.com/llms.txt