Calgary Stampeders Turn to Quarterback Josh Love as Vernon Adams Jr. Sidelined

The Calgary Stampeders are turning to Josh Love to lead their offense as starting quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. remains sidelined with a head injury. Love is set to make his first CFL start for the Stampeders (4-6) when they host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (4-7) on Saturday at McMahon Stadium.

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It felt good to get in there and get reps and obviously wish we had a different outcome, but I learned from it and put that to bed. We had a good week of practice and guys are flying around. I think we have a really good plan and we’ve just got to go out there and execute.

Adams suffered the injury during Calgary's previous game, a 30-26 loss to the B.C. Lions on August 13. Love entered that contest and completed six of 10 passes for 58 yards, also throwing one interception. "It felt good to get in there and get reps and obviously wish we had a different outcome, but I learned from it and put that to bed," Love stated. He added, "We had a good week of practice and guys are flying around. I think we have a really good plan and we’ve just got to go out there and execute."

Love, 29, has had previous stints in the USFL and UFL before joining the Stampeders. "It’s been two years now since my last start," he noted. "I started in the UFL in 2024, but it’s been a long time coming, for sure. I definitely have a good QB room and great staff that helped me stay ready."

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It’s been two years now since my last start. I started in the UFL in 2024, but it’s been a long time coming, for sure. I definitely have a good QB room and great staff that helped me stay ready.

Head coach and general manager Dave Dickenson expressed confidence in Love's ability to guide the team. "He’s working hard and everybody wants an opportunity," Dickenson said. "Sometimes, unfortunately, it happens, because another man gets hurt, but he’s been putting the work in. He hasn’t had a lot of reps. Vernon’s stayed healthy for the most part all year, but he’s looking forward to the opportunity. We need him. We need our offence to play well."

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He’s working hard and everybody wants an opportunity. Sometimes, unfortunately, it happens, because another man gets hurt, but he’s been putting the work in. He hasn’t had a lot of reps. Vernon’s stayed healthy for the most part all year, but he’s looking forward to the opportunity. We need him. We need our offence to play well.

Additionally, receiver Damien Alford will make his season debut, and kicker Rene Paredes returns from a groin injury, bolstering the Stampeders' lineup as they aim to break their two-game losing skid.

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The chemistry with Josh started the moment he got here last year. Just him coming in as a starter now the chemistry is there. I know where he’s going to put the ball. I know he trusts me and I trust him.