Summaries of Canadian players’ performances in the NFL from the first week of the NFL’s preseason. Nathan Rourke stole the show with a great performance in his debut. Montreal Alouettes’ first-round draft pick showed he can play safety very well at the NFL level.
Other Articles:
Week 11 QB Weekly, Week 11 RB Weekly Week 11 WR Weekly
Week 10 Stars of the Week (1st and 2nd Team)
Montreal Alouettes Week 10 Takeaways, BC Lions Week 10 Takeaways
Mike Mitchell’s Week 11 Power Rankings
Week 10 QB Weekly, Week 10 RB Weekly, Week 10 WR Weekly
Week 9 First and 2nd Team Top Performers, Week 8 1st and 2nd Team
CFL First Period All-Star Team (Weeks 1-7)
@JonathanClink on Twitter
QB – Nathan Rourke – Jacksonville Jaguars
College: Fort Scott (2016), Ohio Bobcats (2017-2019)
CFL: 2020 round 2 (pick 15) by the BC Lions
NFL: Undrafted, signed by Jacksonville Jaguars ahead of the 2023 season.
Preseason Week 1 @ Dallas:
Nathan Rourke had a tremendous performance as he completed 9 of his 17 passes for 153 yards and a touchdown in his NFL debut. He also had 6 rushes for 20 yards and a touchdown. He went somewhat viral for his passing touchdown in which he broke tackles in the backfield and made a great throw with a man on him. All 4 pass rushers had a hand on him at one point of the play yet he still was able to create a touchdown.
Preseason Week 2 @ Detroit Sat 8/19 1 PM ET, 10 AM PT:
Preseason Week 3 vs. Miami Sat 8/26 7 PM ET, 4 PM PT:
QB – Brett Rypien – Los Angeles Rams
College: Boise State (2015-2019)
CFL: Undrafted
NFL: Undrafted, Denver Broncos (2019-2022), Los Angeles Rams (2023)
Preseason Week 1 vs. LA Chargers:
Attempted 6 passes and completed 3 of them for 11 yards in the loss to the Chargers.
Preseason Week 2 vs. Las Vegas Sat 8/19, 9 PM ET, 6 PM PT:
Preseason Week 3 @ Denver Sat 8/26, 9 PM ET, 6 PM PT:
RB – Chase Brown – Cincinnati Bengals
College: Western Michigan (2018) Illinois (2019-2022)
CFL: Drafted 2023 round 7 (pick 163) by the Montreal Alouettes
NFL: Drafted 2023 round 5 (pick 163) by the Cincinnati Bengals
Preseason Week 1 vs. Packers:
Brown had the 104th-highest PFF rushing grade as he rushed 8 times for 12 yards (1.5 average). He did catch all 3 of his targets for 33 yards. Brown played 6 passing plays but did not have a good PFF pass-blocking score at 25.4.
Preseason Week 2 @ Atlanta Fri 8/17 7:30 PM ET, 4:30 PM PT:
Preseason Week 3 vs. Cincinnati Sat 8/26 6:05 PM ET, 3:05 PM ET:
RB – Chubba Hubbard – Carolina Panthers
College: Oklahoma State (2017-2020)
CFL: Drafted 2021 round 5 (pick 43) by the Calgary Stampeders
NFL: Drafted 2021 round 4 (pick 126) by the Carolina Panthers
Preseason Week 1 vs. New York Jets:
Rushed 4 times for 9 yards (2.3 average). Had only the 107th highest run grade by Pro Football Focus. Hubbard also caught his only target for 3 yards. He was on the field for 6 pass plays as well and had a good PFF pass-blocking grade at 73.1.
Preseason Week 2 @ New York Giants Fri 8/18 7 PM ET, 4 PM PT:
Preseason Week 3 vs. Detroit Fri 8/25 8 PM ET, 5 PM PT:
WR – Chase Claypool – Chicago Bears
College: Notre Dame (2016-2019)
CFL: Undrafted despite being the #2 rated Canadian prospect.
NFL: Drafted 2020 by the Pittsburgh Steelers (2020-2022), Chicago Bears (2022 via trade)
Preseason Week 1 vs. Titans:
Did not play in the preseason game against the Titans.
Preseason Week 2 @ Indianapolis Sat 8/19 7 PM ET, 4 PM PT:
Preseason Week 3 vs. Buffalo Sat 8/26 1 PM, 10 AM PT:
WR – N’Keal Harry – Minnesota Vikings
College: Arizona State (2016-2021)
CFL: Undrafted
NFL: 2019 round 1 (pick 32) by the New England Patriots (2019-2021), Chicago Bears (2022), Minnesota Vikings (2023)
Preseason Week 1 @ Seattle:
N’Keal Harry caught both of his targets for 24 yards against the Seattle Seahawks.
Preseason Week 2 vs. Tennessee Sat 8/19 8 PM ET, 5 PM PT:
Preseason Week 3 vs. Arizona Sat 8/26 1 PM ET, 10 AM PT:
WR – John Metchie III – Houston Texans
College: Alabama Crimson Tide 2019-2021
CFL: Drafted 2022 round 7 (pick 59) by the BC Lions.
NFL: Drafted 2022 round 2 (pick 44) by the Houston Texans.
Preseason Week 1 @ New England:
Metchie caught his only target for 5 yards. It is good to see John Metchie III back on the field after missing the 2022 season due to a leukemia diagnosis.
Preseason Week 2 vs. Miami Sat 8/19 4 PM ET, 1 PM PT:
Preseason Week 3 @ New Orleans Sat 8/27 8 PM ET, 5 PM PT:
WR – Josh Palmer – Los Angeles Chargers
College: Tennessee (2017-2020)
CFL: Not selected despite being the #1 Canadian prospect.
NFL: 2021 round 3 (pick 77) by the Los Angeles Chargers
Preseason Week 1 @ Los Angeles Rams:
Nonparticipant.
Preseason Week 2 vs. New Orleans Sun 8/20 7:05 PM ET, 4:05 PM PT:
Preseason Week 3 @ San Francisco Fri 8/25 10 PM ET, 7 PM PT:
WR – Jared Wayne – Houston Texans
College: Pittsburgh (2019-2022)
CFL Draft: 2023 2nd round (166th overall pick) by the Toronto Argonauts.
NFL Draft: Signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent.
Preseason Week 1 @ New England:
Wayne caught his only target for 19 yards. He did suffer a hamstring injury that is expected to keep him out for 1-2 weeks.
Preseason Week 2 vs. Miami Sat 8/19 4 PM ET, 1 PM PT:
Preseason Week 3 @ New Orleans Sat 8/27 8 PM ET, 5 PM PT:
TE – Nikola Kalinic – Los Angeles Rams
College: York
CFL: 2019 round 2 (pick 10) by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats
NFL: Indianapolis Colts (2022), Los Angeles Rams (2023-)
Preseason Week 1 vs. LA Chargers:
No stats were recorded.
Preseason Week 2 vs. Las Vegas Sat 8/19, 9 PM ET, 6 PM PT:
Preseason Week 3 @ Denver Sat 8/26, 9 PM ET, 6 PM PT:
OL – Matthew Bergeron – Atlanta Falcons
College: Syracuse (2019-2022)
CFL: Undrafted (ranked #1 Canadian prospect)
NFL: 2023 round 2 (pick 38) by the Atlanta Falcons
Preseason Week 1 @ Miami:
Nonparticipant. Is likely to start in his next preseason game.
Preseason Week 2 vs. Cincinnati Fri 8/18 7:30 PM ET, 4:30 PM PT:
Preseason Week 3 vs. Pittsburgh Thu 8/24 7:30 PM ET, 4:30 PM PT:
OL – Alaric Jackson – Los Angeles Rams
College: Iowa
CFL: 2021 Round 2 (pick 15) by the BC Lions.
NFL: Signed by the Los Angeles Rams in 2021 as an undrafted free agent.
Preseason Week 1 vs. LA Chargers:
Played in 3 run plays and 8 passing plays. Had a PFF grade of 55.1.
Preseason Week 2 vs. Las Vegas Sat 8/19, 9 PM ET, 6 PM PT:
Preseason Week 3 @ Denver Sat 8/26, 9 PM ET, 6 PM PT:
OL – Carter O’Donnell – Indianapolis Colts
College: Alberta
CFL: 2020 round 3 (pick 22) by the Montreal Alouettes.
NFL: Signed with the Indianapolis Colts as a UDFA in 2020.
Preseason Week 1 @ Buffalo:
Played 7 run plays and 8 pass plays recording a pass plays. Had a 56.4 run-blocking grade and a 76.6 pass-blocking grade from PFF.
Preseason Week 2 vs. Bears Sat 8/19 7 PM ET, 4 PM PT:
Preseason Week 3 @ Philadelphia Thu 8/24 8 PM ET, 5 PM PT:
OL – Dakoda Shepley – Indianapolis Colts
College: UBC Thunderbirds
CFL: 2018 round 1 (pick 5) by the Saskatchewan Roughriders. (Played for them in 2019)
NFL: UDFS New York Jets (2018), San Fran Sisco 49ers (2020), Seattle Seahawks (2021), Dallas Cowboys (2022), Indianapolis Colts (2023)
Preseason Week 1 @ Buffalo:
Had one of the lowest PFF pass protection grades in that week at 16.7 on his 7 pass plays. In 2 run plays, he had a 58.6 run-blocking grade.
Preseason Week 2 vs. Bears Sat 8/19 7 PM ET, 4 PM PT:
Preseason Week 3 @ Philadelphia Thu 8/24 8 PM ET, 5 PM PT:
OL – Sidy Sow – New England Patriots
College: Eastern Michigan (2017-2022)
CFL: 2023 round 6 (pick 48) by the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
NFL: 2023 round 4 (pick 117) by the New England Patriots
Preseason Week 1 vs. Houston:
He played 46 snaps (20 run plays and 26 passing plays). He had a pass-blocking grade of 79.2 and a run-blocking grade of 27.4 from PFF for that game.
Preseason Week 2 @ Green Bay Sat 8/19 8 PM ET, 5 PM PT:
Preseason Week 3 @ Tennessee Fri 8/25 8:15 PM ET, 5:15 PM PT:
DT – Christian Covington – Detroit Lions
College: Rice
CFL: 2015 round 5 (pick 43) by the BC Lions
NFL: 2015 round 6 (pick 216) by the Houston Texans (2015-2018), Dallas Cowboys (2019), Denver Broncos (2020), Cincinnati Bengals (2020) Los Angeles Chargers (2021-2022), Detroit Lions (2023-)
Preseason Week 1 vs. New York Giants:
Played 14 snaps, 6 against the run and 8 against the pass. Did not record a tackle. Finished the game with a 56.2 PFF defensive grade.
Preseason Week 2 vs. Jacksonville Sat 8/19 1 PM ET, 10 AM PT:
Preseason Week 3 @ Carolina Fri 8/25 8 PM ET, 5 PM PT:
DT – Neville Gallimore – Dallas Cowboys
College: Oklahoma (2015-2019)
CFL: 2020 round 8 (pick 71) by the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
NFL: 2020 round 3 (pick 82) by the Dallas Cowboys.
Preseason Week 1 vs. Jacksonville:
Played 9 snaps against the run and 23 against the pass. Generated 4 quarterback hurries and 4 tackles. Gallimore had the 13 highest PFF pass-rush grade among interior defensive linemen in the first week of the preseason.
Preseason Week 2 @ Seattle Sat 8/19 10 PM ET, 7 PM PT:
Preseason Week 3 vs. Los Vegas Sat 8/26 8 PM ET, 5 PM PT:
DT – Nathan Shepherd – New Orleans Saints
College: Simon Fraser, Fort Hays State
CFL: Undrafted
NFL:2018 round 3 (pick 72) by the New York Jets (2018-2022), New Orleans Saints (2023-)
Preseason Week 1 vs. Kansas City:
Played 9 snaps, 4 against the run, and 5 against the pass. Did not record a tackle. Was the 126th graded interioror defensive lineman which was pretty much middle of the pack.
Preseason Week 2 @ Las Angeles Chargers Sun 8/20 7:05 PM ET, 4:05 PM PT:
Preseason Week 3 vs. Houston Sun 8/27 8 PM ET, 5 PM PT:
DE – Brent Urban – Baltimore Ravens
College: Virginia
CFL: 2013 round 2 (pick 15) by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
NFL: 2014 round 4 (pick 134) by the Baltimore Ravens (2014-2018), Tennessee Titans (2019), Chicago Bears (2019-2020), Baltimore Ravens (2020-)
Preseason Week 1 vs. Philadelphia:
Played 19 snaps, 12 of which were against the pass. Urban had 1 QB hurry, a batted pass and 2 tackles. He did however have 1 missed tackle recorded per PFF.
Preseason Week 2 @ Washington Mon 8/21 8 PM ET, 5 PM PT:
Preseason Week 3 @ Tampa Bay Sat 8/26 7 PM ET, 4 PM ET:
DE – David Onyemata – Atlanta Falcons
College: Manitoba
CFL: 2016 round 4 (pick 35) by the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
NFL: 2016 round 4 (pick 120) by the New Orleans Saints (2016-2022), Atlanta Falcons (2023-)
Preseason Week 1 @ Miami:
Nonparticipant.
Preseason Week 2 vs. Cincinnati Fri 8/18 7:30 PM ET, 4:30 PM PT:
Preseason Week 3 vs. Pittsburgh Thu 8/24 7:30 PM ET, 4:30 PM PT:
NT – Eli Ankou – Buffalo Bills
College: UCLA
CFL: 2017 round 3 (pick 26) by the Ottawa Redblacks.
NFL: UDFA Houston Texans (2017), Jacksonville Jaguars (2017–2019), Cleveland Browns (2019), Indianapolis Colts (2020), Houston Texans (2020), Dallas Cowboys (2020), Atlanta Falcons (2021), Buffalo Bills (2021), Atlanta Falcons (2021), Pittsburgh Steelers (2021), Tennessee Titans (2021), Buffalo Bills (2021–)
Preseason Week 1 vs. Indianapolis:
Ankou had the 15th-highest defensive grade in the week by PFF among interior defensive linemen. He played 31 snaps, 19 of which were run plays. He had a QB hurry, 3 tackles, and was credited with 2 stops
Preseason Week 2 @ Pittsburgh Sat 8/19 6:30 PM ET, 3:30 PM PT:
Preseason Week 3 @ Chicago Sat 8/26 1 PM ET, 10 AM PT:
LB – Michael Hoecht – Los Angeles Rams
College: Brown
CFL: 2020 round 2 (pick 10) by the Ottawa Redblacks.
NFL: UDFA Los Angeles Rams (2020-)
Preseason Week 1 vs. LA Chargers:
Played 13 snaps and had 1 assisted tackle.
Preseason Week 2 vs. Las Vegas Sat 8/19, 9 PM ET, 6 PM PT:
Preseason Week 3 @ Denver Sat 8/26, 9 PM ET, 6 PM PT:
LB – Jesse Luketa – Arizona Cardinals
College: Penn State (2018-2021)
CFL: 2022 round 2 (pick 20) by the Ottawa Redblacks.
NFL: 2022 round 7 (pick 256) by the Arizona Cardinals.
Preseason Week 1 vs. Broncos:
Played 31 snaps. Luketa generated 4 QB hurries and hit the passer once. He had 2 tackles and an assist.
Preseason Week 2 vs. Kansas City Sat 8/19 8 PM ET, 5 PM PT:
Preseason Week 3 @ Minnesota Sat 8/26 1 PM ET, 10 AM PT:
LB – Amen Ogbongbemiga – Los Angeles Chargers
College: Oklahoma State (2016-2020)
CFL: 2021 round 1 (pick 8) by the Calgary Stampeders
NFL: 2021 UDFA Los Angeles Chargers
Preseason Week 1 @ Los Angeles Rams:
Ogbongbemiga had the 16th highest grade among linebackers for that week by PFF. He played 30 snaps and hit the quarterback twice, had 4 tackles, an assist, and 2 stops.
Preseason Week 2 vs. New Orleans Sun 8/20 7:05 PM ET, 4:05 PM PT:
Preseason Week 3 @ San Francisco Fri 8/25 10 PM ET, 7 PM PT:
LB – Tavius Robinson – Baltimore Ravens
College: Ole Miss (2020-2022)
CFL: 2023 round 8 (pick 66) by the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
NFL: 2023 round 4 (pick 124) by the Baltimore Ravens.
Preseason Week 1 vs. Philadelphia:
Played 31 snaps. Had 1 QB hurry and 0 tackles.
Preseason Week 2 @ Washington Mon 8/21 8 PM ET, 5 PM PT:
Preseason Week 3 @ Tampa Bay Sat 8/26 7 PM ET, 4 PM ET:
LB – Alex Singleton – Denver Broncos
College: Montana State
CFL: 2016 round 1 (pick 6) by the Calgary Stampeders (2016–2018).
NFL: 2015 UDFA Seattle Seahawks (2015), New England Patriots (2015), Minnesota Vikings (2015), Philadelphia Eagles (2019–2021), Denver Broncos (2022–)
Preseason Week 1 @ Arizona:
Played 11 snaps and had 3 tackles. Singleton had the 13th-highest linebacker grade by PFF for this week.
Preseason Week 2 @ San Francisco Sat 8/19 8:30 PM ET, 5:30 PM PT:
Preseason Week 3 vs. Las Angeles Rams Sat 8/26 9 PM ET, 6 PM PT:
LB – Luiji Vilain – Minnesota Vikings
College: Michigan (2017-2020), Wake Forest (2021)
CFL: 2021 round 3 (pick 25)
NFL: 2022 UDFA Minnesota Vikings
Preseason Week 1 @ Seattle:
Played 34 snaps and had a QB hurry, 2 QB hits, and a sack.
Preseason Week 2 vs. Tennessee Sat 8/19 8 PM ET, 5 PM PT:
Preseason Week 3 vs. Arizona Sat 8/26 1 PM ET, 10 AM PT:
CB – Tevaughn Campbell – Jacksonville Jaguars
College: Regina
CFL: 2015 round 3 (pick 22) by the Calgary Stampeders (2015), Saskatchewan Roughriders (2016–2017), Montreal Alouettes (2017–2018).
NFL: 2015 UDFA, New York Jets (2019), Los Angeles Chargers (2019–2022), Las Vegas Raiders (2022), Jacksonville Jaguars (2022–).
Preseason Week 1 @ Dallas:
Played 24 snaps. Was targetted twice in coverage and allowed 2 receptions for 17 yards. He did have a missed tackle but had a pretty decent cover grade in that week that put him 68th among cornerbacks.
Preseason Week 2 @ Detroit Sat 8/19 1 PM ET, 10 AM PT:
Preseason Week 3 vs. Miami Sat 8/26 7 PM ET, 4 PM PT:
CB – Tyrell Ford – Green Bay Packers
College: Waterloo
CFL: 2022 round 2 (pick 13) by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
NFL: Green Bay Packers (2023-)
Preseason Week 1 @ Cincinnati:
Played 16 snaps and had 2 tackles. Ford was targeted once in coverage and allowed an 11-yard reception.
Preseason Week 2 vs. New England Sat 8/19 8 PM ET, 5 PM PT:
Preseason Week 3 vs. Seattle Sat 8/26 1 PM ET, 10 AM PT:
CB – Deane Leonard – Los Angeles Chargers
College: Calgary (2017-2019), Ole Miss (2020-2021)
CFL: 2021 round 2 (pick 18) by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
NFL: 2022 round 7 (pick 136) by the Los Angeles Chargers.
Preseason Week 1 @ Los Angeles Rams:
Played 30 snaps and had 1 tackle. Was targetted 4 times in coverage and allowed 1 reception for 9 yards.
Preseason Week 2 vs. New Orleans Sun 8/20 7:05 PM ET, 4:05 PM PT:
Preseason Week 3 @ San Francisco Fri 8/25 10 PM ET, 7 PM PT:
CB – Benjamin St-Juste – Washington Commanders
College: Michigan (2017-2018), Minnesota (2019-2020)
CFL: 2021 round 6 (pick 52) by the Toronto Argonauts.
NFL: 2021 round 3 (pick 74) by the Washington Football Team.
Preseason Week 1 @ Cleveland:
Played 7 snaps and had a tackle, an assisted tackle and 1 missed tackle.
Preseason Week 2 vs. Baltimore Mon 8/21 8 PM ET, 5 PM ET:
Preseason Week 3 vs. Cincinnati Sat 8/26 6:05 PM ET, 3:05 PM PT:
S – Sydney Brown – Philadelphia Eagles
College: Illinois (2018–2022)
CFL: Undrafted despite being the #3 ranked Canadian prospect.
NFL: 2023 round 3 (pick 66) by the Philadelphia Eagles.
Preseason Week 1 @ Baltimore:
Played 41 snaps and had 8 tackles. Brown had the 41st-highest defensive grade by PFF among safeties that week.
Preseason Week 2 vs. Cleveland 8/17:
Preseason Week 3 vs. Indianapolis Thu 8/24 8 PM ET, 5 PM PT:
S – Jevon Holland – Miami Dolphins
College: Oregon (2018-2020)
CFL: 2021 not drafted despite being the #3 Canadian prospect.
NFL: 2021 round 2 (36th pick) by the Miami Dolphins.
Preseason Week 1 vs. Atlanta:
Did not play.
Preseason Week 2 @ Houston Sat 8/19 4 PM ET, 1 PM PT:
Preseason Week 3 @ Jacksonville Sat 8/26 7 PM ET, 4 PM PT:
S – Jonathan Sutherland – Seattle Seahawks
College: Penn State
CFL: 2023 round 1 (pick 5) by the Montreal Alouettes.
NFL: 2023 UDFA signed by the Seattle Seahawks.
Preseason Week 1 vs. Minnesota:
Jonathan Sutherland played 57 snaps. He had a QB hurry, a QB hit, 2 tackles, and an assisted tackle. He was targetted 4 times in coverage and allowed 3 receptions for just 13 yards. Sutherland had the 33rd-highest defensive grade in the first week of the preseason among safeties.
Preseason Week 2 vs. Dallas Sat 8/19 10 PM ET, 7 PM PT:
Preseason Week 3 @ Green Bay Sat 8/26 1 PM ET, 10 AM PT:
