Rankin’s rushing dip coincides with fewer carries

Justin Rankin's recent decline in rushing performance appears to align with a decrease in his number of carries, according to reports from Global News. Over the course of Edmonton's first five games, Rankin managed to achieve 100 or more rushing yards in four of them. His most notable performance came during a 40-17 victory over the Ottawa Redblacks on July 9, where he carried the ball 14 times for 107 yards and scored two touchdowns. This success followed a string of strong performances, including a 14-carry, 107-yard outing in the same game. However, the trend shifted following that game. In the subsequent match against the B.C. Lions on July 4, Rankin was given only seven carries for 19 yards, while quarterback Cody Fajardo led the team with 395 passing yards and three touchdowns, albeit with three interceptions. Since then, Rankin has only managed to secure 10 or more carries once, which occurred in a 36-34 road win over Saskatchewan on July 23. During that game, he gained 39 yards on 12 attempts, while Fajardo set a career high with 510 passing yards and four touchdowns. In the past four games where Rankin did not reach the 100-yard mark, he averaged around seven carries each contest. Most recently, in a 48-30 loss to the Montreal Alouettes, he carried the ball seven times for 62 yards. Despite these challenges, Rankin has maintained a solid overall season, accumulating 651 rushing yards on 101 carries for an average of 6.4 yards per carry, along with seven touchdowns. Additionally, he has contributed significantly through the air, recording 37 receptions for 418 yards and one touchdown. Edmonton is set to host the Toronto Argonauts at Commonwealth Stadium on Saturday, marking another key matchup. The home team has enjoyed a strong record against the Argonauts, winning the last four encounters. However, the Elks have struggled at home recently, losing their previous game there 28-26 to Saskatchewan in front of a crowd of 31,757. Meanwhile, the Argonauts secured a 33-30 victory over Calgary, their first game at BMO Field this season. Although quarterback Chad Kelly threw four interceptions, the team's defense played a pivotal role in securing the win, making a crucial third-down stop with less than two minutes left in the game. The game will see Edmonton's Tyrell Ford, who leads the league in interceptions with five, facing a defense that has been particularly effective in limiting turnovers. On the other side, the B.C. Lions are set to take on the Calgary Stampeders in a Thursday night matchup. The Stampeders, currently 4-5, return home after a 2-1 road campaign. Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., who has faced some defensive pressure, was intercepted twice in his last appearance in Toronto. However, the Stampeders have shown consistency, scoring 30 or more points in eight consecutive games. Their opponent, the Lions, have a defense that has recorded the fewest turnovers in the league, with only eight forced so far this season. Meanwhile, the Ottawa Redblacks are set to face the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in a Friday night clash. Veteran quarterback Zach Collaros is anticipated to return from a neck injury, though running back Brady Oliveira, the CFL's third-leading rusher with 658 yards, has been sidelined due to an ankle injury. The Bombers have dominated their recent meetings with Ottawa, winning four straight games, and have a strong track record following a bye week. However, they conceded a franchise-worst 377 rushing yards in a 35-19 defeat to the B.C. Lions on July 30. The Redblacks are struggling against Western Division opponents, going 0-5 in such matchups. After a 42-20 loss to Saskatchewan, the team has parted ways with veteran defensive backs Demerio Houston and Amari Henderson.