Head coach Rich Campbell was confident Vernon Adams Jr. will start against the Edmonton Eskimos, but the B.C. Lions quarterback was a little more guarded about his health.
Adams practiced Monday, but missed TuesdayB次元官网网址檚 workout with an abdominal injury. At the time his status was listed as questionable for when the Lions (2-1) face the Elks (0-3) Thursday at BC Place Stadium to open Week 4 of the CFL season.
B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 good,B次元官网网址� Campbell said after the Lions walk-through Wednesday. B次元官网网址淗e came in this morning feeling better. He seems good to go.
B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 been playing awesome for us. WeB次元官网网址檙e obviously happy that VA is ready to go.B次元官网网址�
Adams, who is listed as the starter on the Lions depth chart, was more cautious.
B次元官网网址淚 feel good today,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 woke up feeling better.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e going to see how we feel tomorrow.B次元官网网址�
The 31-year-old, who is in his second season as the Lions starter, said he woke up Tuesday feeling a strain in his lower abdomen. After sitting out Tuesday he took all the reps during WednesdayB次元官网网址檚 short practice and his movements didnB次元官网网址檛 seem to be hindered.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檒l see when I wake up tomorrow but feeling better today,B次元官网网址� he said.
After three games this season Adams has completed 63-of-95 passes for a CFL-leading 1,038 yards, six touchdowns and just one interception.
Former Saskatchewan Roughrider Jake Dolegala is AdamsB次元官网网址� backup.
One player expecting to see some extra attention from the Elks is Lions wide receiver Alexander Hollins.
Hollins scorched the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for 215 yards and two touchdowns on seven catches in a nail-biting 26-24 victory last week.
B次元官网网址淎ttention? I love attention,B次元官网网址� said the six-foot, 175-pound speedster from Yazoo City, Miss.
Hollins grabbed everyoneB次元官网网址檚 attention when he hauled in a 71-yard touchdown pass from Adams on BCB次元官网网址檚 fourth offensive play of the game against Winnipeg. He later caught a 29-yeard touchdown.
A big play early fires up both the offence and defence, said Hollins.
B次元官网网址淚t helps a lot,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚t makes the defence work even harder to try to get the ball back.
B次元官网网址淓verything is just high energy, cheering each other on, working hard. The more big plays everyone is making, the more plans we want to make as a unit.B次元官网网址�
After being named the CFLB次元官网网址檚 top receiver for Week 3, Hollins was asked if he could rake in even more yards against the winless Elks.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not a goal of mine to try to get a certain amount,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 just try to get open, catch the ball, get first downs, make plays for the team.B次元官网网址�
Adams said Hollins has the ability to be where heB次元官网网址檚 most needed.
B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 being him, the playmaker he is,B次元官网网址� said Adams. B次元官网网址淲hen the ball finds him, heB次元官网网址檚 going to make a play.B次元官网网址�
Hollins leads the league with 402 yards and three touchdowns on 23 catches. Teammate Justin McInnis is third with 17 catches for 340 yards and two touchdowns.
Running back William Stanback, who signed with the Lions this winter after helping the Montreal Alouettes win the Grey Cup last year, is the leagueB次元官网网址檚 top rusher with 187 yards on 42 carries.
ItB次元官网网址檚 a quick turnaround for the Elks, who are coming off a heart-breaking 39-36 loss against the Argonauts in Toronto Saturday. It was the second time in two weeks Edmonton lost by three points.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not like weB次元官网网址檝e played poor football,B次元官网网址� said Chris Jones, EdmontonB次元官网网址檚 head coach and general manager. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e unfortunately lost three games and it comes down to that one or two plays that weB次元官网网址檝e got to learn to make.
B次元官网网址淲hen we do, weB次元官网网址檙e going to have a lot of success.B次元官网网址�
Campbell said the Elks are a better than then their record.
B次元官网网址淭hey are a good team,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭hey have good players. WeB次元官网网址檙e not getting caught up in their record. We expect it will be a close game again.B次元官网网址�
The Lions will also be without Canadian linebacker Ben Hladik, who has a thumb injury. Hladik, who leads the CFL with 25 tackles, will be replaced by Bo Lokombo.
EDMONTON ESKIMOS (0-3) at BC Lions (2-1)
Thursday, B.C. Place
LUCKY 13: Hollins was the first Lion since Nick Moore in 2017 to have over 200 receiving yards in a game. Tyon Gray holds the franchise record for most receiving yards in a game with 270 set in 1981. HollinsB次元官网网址� 215 yards is the 13th highest in Lions history.
ON THE ROAD: After Thursday, the Lions will play one home game over the next eight weeks. They play in Hamilton July 7, return home for a July 13 game against Saskatchewan, then travel to Calgary July 21, Winnipeg Aug. 1 and Edmonton Aug. 11 before hosting the Bombers Aug. 18.
GOING DEEP: Heading into Week 4 Adams leads the CFL in completing 14 of 29 passes for 20 or more yards, for a league-high 499 yards and five touchdowns.
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