Nyles Morgan motivated to lead Redblacks to first win vs. Elks

Field Level Media|published: 07/08/2026, 11:32pm EDT

Jun 7, 2025; Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; BC Lions wide receiver Jevon Cottoy (86) runs the ball against Edmonton Elks linebacker Nyles Morgan (45) and defensive back Tyrell Ford (30) second half at BC Place Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-Imagn Images

Ottawa middle linebacker Nyles Morgan and the Redblacks look for their first win of the season when they visit his former team on Thursday night in Edmonton.

Morgan, who played for the Elks from 2021-25, leads the CFL in total tackles (31) and tackles for loss (three) despite the rough start for Ottawa (0-4).

The Redblacks have dropped 10 in a row dating back to last season, and they are off to their worst start since opening 0-6 in 2022.

Morgan, 29, registered seven tackles in a 29-21 season-opening home loss to Edmonton on June 6. The Notre Dame product told the Ottawa Citizen this week he is satisfied with his individual play to this point.

"I would say, yeah, so far," Morgan said. "I've been adapting well to my new defense and my new teammates, and I've been doing really well so far."

Returning to his old stomping grounds Thursday, Morgan admitted he is motivated to put on a strong performance against the Elks (3-1).

"After working somewhere for so long and kind of getting tossed aside due to injury, or just by a new regime that doesn't appreciate you, it would definitely light a fire under anybody, I would say," Morgan said.

He will face an Edmonton team coming off its first loss of the season, a 36-24 setback against the B.C. Lions on July 4 in Kelowna, British Columbia.

Cody Fajardo passed for 395 yards against the Lions but offset three touchdown passes with three interceptions. The Elks also coughed up a fumble and were outgained 162-24 on the ground.

"Our brand of football is running the football, and they had a good plan for us and they stopped us," Fajardo said on 880 CHED. "We're one of the No. 1 teams in the league running the ball. When you stop us in the run, it just makes it difficult because it takes us out of our game plan a little bit."

In the Week 1 meeting between these teams at Ottawa, Justin Rankin's back-breaking, 61-yard touchdown run gave the Elks a 26-10 lead early in the fourth quarter. He finished with 102 yards on 13 carries.

Jake Maier threw for 203 yards and a touchdown and Daniel Adeboboye rushed for 87 yards and a score to lead the Redblacks.

--Field Level Media