ROURKE HEADLINES WEEK 17 PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Adams and Blanchard also named to week’s best
TORONTO (September 29, 2026) – Nathan Rourke, Vernon Adams Jr. and Vincent Blanchard have been named Week 17 Players of the Week in the Canadian Football League (CFL). The honour spotlights exceptional statistical performances, pivotal plays, game-breaking feats and more.
The three players were chosen by a panel composed of representatives from the CFL’s Football Operations, Player and Game Statistics, and Content departments.
- NATHAN ROURKE | QB | BC LIONS | SSK 24 – BC 31
- 22-of-28 (78.6 per cent) for 375 yards with zero interceptions
- Season-high four touchdown passes; tenth 300-yard+ game of the season
- Three completions of 30+ yards, highlighted by a 59-yard strike to Justin McInnis in the fourth quarter
- Three rushes for 37 yards, including a 17-yard effort in the second quarter
- Perfect efficiency rating of 158.3
- Second Player of the Week Honour (W12)
- VERNON ADAMS JR. | QB | CALGARY STAMPEDERS | CGY 45 – OTT 31
- 24-of-30 (80 per cent) for 422 yards; second 400-yard+ passing game of the season
- Three touchdowns with no interceptions
- Four completions of 30+ yards, highlighted by a 60-yard touchdown pass to Clark Barnes late in the fourth quarter
- Perfect efficiency rating of 158.3
- Second Player of the Week honour (W5)
- VINCENT BLANCHARD | K | EDMONTON ELKS | HAM 35 – EDM 37 (OT)
- CFL single-game record of nine field goals on nine attempts
- Game-tying 27-yard effort with one second remaining in the fourth quarter
- 35- and 37-yard field goals in overtime mini-games
- 54-yard FG in the second quarter was the second-longest of career; fifth 50+ yard make of the season
- Accounted for 28 of Edmonton’s 37 points
2026 PLAYERS OF THE WEEK – IN REVIEW
- W1 | Justin Rankin (EDM) | Robert Kennedy III (MTL) | Jake Ceresna (WPG)
- W2 | Trevor Harris (SSK) | Tyson def Philpot (MTL) | Davis Alexander (MTL)
- W3 | Bo Levi Mitchell (HAM) | Justin Rankin (EDM) | Kevin Mital (TOR)
- W4 | Tyson Philpot (MTL) | Davis Alexander (MTL) | Chad Kelly (TOR)
- W5 | Vernon Adams Jr. (CGY) | KeeSean Johnson (SSK) | James Butler (BC)
- W6 | Justin Rankin (EDM) | Tyson Philpot (MTL) | Dru Brown (WPG)
- W7 | Davis Alexander (MTL) | Travis Theis (MTL) |Dedrick Mills (CGY)
- W8 | Cody Fajardo (EDM) | Tyreik McAllister (CGY) | Travis Theis (MTL)
- W9 | Zander Horvath (BC) | Davis Alexander (MTL) | Tyson Philpot (MTL)
- W10 | Tyson Philpot (MTL) | KeeSean Johnson (SSK) | Damonte Coxie (TOR)
- W11 | J.J. Ross (EDM) | Cody Fajardo EDM | Zander Horvath (BC)
- W12 | Kabion Ento (MTL) | Davis Alexander (MTL) | Nathan Rourke (BC)
- W13 | Zander Horvath (BC) | Zach Collaros (WPG) | KeeSean Johnson (SSK)
- W14 | Tyrice Beverette (MTL) | Dhel Duncan-Busby (SSK) | Trevor Harris (SSK)
- W15 | David Ungerer III (TOR) | Tyrice Beverette (MTL) | Keon Hatcher Sr. (BC)
- W16 | Adarius Pickett (TOR) | Jalen Philpot (CGY) | Justin Hardy (OTT)
- W17 | Nathan Rourke (BC) | Vernon Adams Jr. (CGY) | Vincent Blanchard (EDM)
Lucas Barrett
Associate Vice-President, Communications & Public Affairs, Canadian Football League