The 2022 CFL Season has had more twists and turns than an F1 Track for the Edmonton Elks. Just when it looked like they had momentum after the debut performance of Quarterback Tre Ford in the Elks win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Canada Day, they quickly hit a stretch of bad luck with injuries.

Despite a promising start in the July 7th home game against the Calgary Stampeders, the loss of Ford early in the game and then more starters on defence was too much for the Elks to overcome as the Stampeders blew them out 49-6. Unfortunately quarterback Nick Arbuckle couldn’t rally the troops after Ford went down, and Chris Jones decided he’d seen enough as he traded Arbuckle to the Ottawa Redblacks on July 11 for a fourth round draft pick.

You have to feel for a guy like Arbuckle who thought he’d found a home in Edmonton. But it is difficult to have new management and a new coaching staff come in when you were signed by the previous management team. Arbuckle may find success in Ottawa as he replaces veteran QB Jeremiah Masoli who was injured in the Redblacks 28-13 loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders on July 8. The controversial hit on Masoli by the Riders Garrett Marino landed the Riders D lineman a four game suspension, the longest suspension of its kind in league history.

Elks QB Taylor Cornelius Making His First Start of the Season

After the Arbuckle trade, it was confirmed that Edmonton Elks quarterback Taylor Cornelius will start in the Elk’s Week 6 matchup against the Montreal Alouettes. Last season, Cornelius threw for 1,795 yards with nine touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 14 games and has not played in the 2022 regular season. If Cornelius can’t get the job done against the Als, it might be time for head coach/general manager Chris Jones and assistant general manager Geroy Simon to trade for a QB like Vernon Adams who it seems might have lost the starting job in Montreal to Trevor Harris.

Injuries Have Caused Issues for Elks Early in the Season

The Elks under head coach Chris Jones seemed to be improving on a weekly basis this season, that is until they hit the brick wall known as the Calgary Stampeders in Week 5. You can never use injuries as an excuse, because in the CFL it’s always the next man up. But, the recent string of injuries to the Elks defense and to QB Tre Ford and second string QB Kai Locksley has been a roadblock for the Elks. This is still an improving team, and if key personnel such as James Wilder Jr.,defensive lineman Jake Ceresna and even veteran defensive back Duron Carter can come back in time for the Fall stretch drive, the Elks still may have a chance to get into the CFL playoffs.

The way the CFL West is looking, the Elks most likely have their eye on a cross-over playoff spot. But this is the CFL, and that means you never say never.

Full coverage of the 2022 season on CFL News Hub.