Officially out.
The Stampeders returned to practice this morning after news they were eliminated from playoff contention over the weekend, marking the first time the Red and White will miss the post-season in 20 years.
However, the club is committed to putting the best possible product on the field for the remainder of the season and expects a competitive final 18 days as practice roster players and veterans alike continue to battle for playing time.
Saturday’s Starter TBD
General manager and head coach Dave Dickenson has yet to name a starting pivot for Saturday’s matinee. However, 31-year-old QB Matt Shiltz, who took over in the dying minutes of last week’s contest, took majority of the first team reps at practice this morning.
Shiltz completed four of five passes and threw for 99 yards and one touchdown, as well as tallying 26 yards on the ground in his first taste of game action in the 2024 campaign.
Previously, the free–agent acquisition was sidelined for seven games after suffering an ankle injury in practice earlier this season.
Welcome to Calgary, Walker
In other quarterback news, the team announced the signing of former NFL and XFL QB P.J. Walker this morning. The 29-year-old played 21 games in the NFL from 2020-2023 and made nine starts – seven for the Carolina Panthers and two for the Cleveland Browns. He completed 185 of 339 passes for 2,135 yards and six touchdowns while rushing 31 times for 80 yards.
He led the XFL’s Houston Roughnecks to a 5-0 record in 2020 and was leading the league with 1,338 passing yards and 15 touchdowns when the season was cancelled due to the global pandemic.
Injury Report presented by Mayfair Diagnostics
Canadian pass catcher Clark Barnes had an active presence at practice today after missing last week’s game in BC. Meanwhile, fellow receivers Jalen Philpot (illness) and Cam Echols (head) were absent. Defensive back Demerio Houston (illness) was also not present this morning.
