Lions quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. is expected to start against the Elks

VANCOUVER — Head coach Rich Campbell was confident Vernon Adams Jr. would start against the Edmonton Eskimos, but the BC Lions quarterback was a little more guarded about his health.

Adams practiced on Monday but missed Tuesday’s practice with an abdominal injury. At the time, his status was questionable for when the Lions (2-1) face the Elks (0-3) on Thursday at BC Place Stadium to open Week 4 of the CFL season.

“He’s good,” Campbell said after the Lions’ presentation Wednesday. “He came in this morning feeling better. It seems good to go.

“He played great for us. We’re obviously happy that the VA is ready to go.”

Adams, who is listed as a starter on the Lions’ depth chart, was more cautious.

“I feel good today,” he said. “I woke up feeling better.

“We’ll see how we feel tomorrow.”

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 did all the reps during Wednesday’s short practice and his movements didn’t seem to be hindered.

“We’ll see when I wake up tomorrow, but I feel better today,” he said.

Through 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 Adams’ backup.

One player expected to see 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 stunning 26-24 win last week.

“Attention? I like attention,” said the 6-foot, 175-pound speedster from Yazoo City, Miss.

Hollins caught everyone’s attention when he hauled in a 71-yard touchdown pass from Adams on the fourth offensive play of the game against Winnipeg. He later caught a 29-year-old touchdown.

A big play early challenges both the offense and the defense, Hollins said.

“It helps a lot,” he said. “It makes the defense work even harder to try and get the ball back.

“It’s all just high energy, encouraging each other, working hard. The bigger plays everyone makes, the more plans we want to make as a unit.”

After being named the CFL’s top receiver for Week 3, Hollins was asked if he could gain even more yards against the winless Elks.

“It’s not a goal of mine to try to get a certain amount,” he said. “I’m just trying to get open, catch the ball, make the first shots, make plays for the team.”

Adams said Hollins has the ability to be where he is needed most.

“He’s him, the playmaker that he is,” Adams said. “When the ball finds him, he’s going to make a play.”

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 Gray Cup last year, is the league’s leading rusher with 187 yards on 42 carries.

It’s a quick turnaround for the Elks, who are coming off a heartbreaking 39-36 loss to the Argonauts on Saturday in Toronto. It was the second time in two weeks Edmonton lost by three points.

“It’s not like we played bad football,” Edmonton head coach and general manager Chris Jones said. “Unfortunately, we’ve lost three games and it comes down to one or two games that we have to learn to do.

“When we do, we will be very successful.”

Campbell said the Elks have a better record than then.

“They’re a good team,” he said. “They have good players. We are not caught up in their record. We expect it to be a tight game again.”

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, BC Place

LUCKY 13: Hollins was the first Lion since Nick Moore in 2017 to have more than 200 receiving yards in a game. Tyon Gray holds the franchise record for most receiving yards in a game with 270 set in 1981. Hollins’ 215 yards are 13th in Lions history.

ON THE ROAD: After Thursday, the Lions will play one home game in the next eight weeks. They play in Hamilton on July 7th, return home for a July 13th game against Saskatchewan, then travel to Calgary on July 21st, Winnipeg on August 1st and Edmonton on August 11th before hosting the Bombers on August 18th.

FOR DEPTH: 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.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on June 26, 2024.

Jim Morris, Canadian Press