Courtesy: Calgary Stampeders
It’s unclear when the Calgary Stampeders will have two of their best players back in the lineup.
Dave Dickenson, the team’s head coach and general manager, updated the status of receiver Reggie Begelton and defensive lineman Folarin Orimolade on Sunday, the first day of training camp.
“We already knew they were in our category of what we call ‘injured vet’ — that just means they haven’t had their physicals yet,” Dickenson told the media.
“Both are progressing well but certain days they’re having some problems, so we want to make sure that when they’re healthy and they’re ready to go — again, we would like them back for Week 1, both, but we’ll see what happens.”
Begelton was carted off the field during last season’s Week 2 win over Toronto due to what was later reported as a fractured leg.
The 32-year-old is a three-time All-CFL selection and has made 427 catches for 5,660 yards and 28 touchdowns over 88 regular-season games with the Stampeders. The native of Beaumont, Texas is the CFL’s No. 13-highest-paid receiver.
Orimolade, who suffered a torn Achilles in September, seems a little further along in his recovery. The 30-year-old made 19 defensive tackles and four sacks over 12 regular-season games in 2025, his first season back in Calgary since he was reacquired via trade. He’s the league’s fifth-highest-paid defensive lineman.
“I don’t want to say too much on injury-wise but your body’s your body and no one’s gonna outwork either one of those guys. They’re going to work extremely hard, but your body has to respond to what you’re doing,” said Dickenson.
“The negative is both guys don’t live here, so you’re not sure how they’re doing, and if you could be proactive and do some things for them in the offseason — whether that’s medically, injections, things to help them — we flew Flo up and we feel like he’s doing a great job. We weren’t able to see Reggie a bunch and we do feel like he’s got a few things to take care of before he can get out on the field.”
The Calgary Stampeders recently selected Angelo State linebacker Eric Rascoe with their first-round pick in the 2026 CFL Draft, adding a key piece to pair with veteran Micah Teitz. The team’s other major offseason addition was receiver Dejon Brissett, who set a career-high with 907 receiving yards with the Toronto Argonauts in 2025.
All CFL training camps are scheduled to open on May 10. Calgary will play its first preseason game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Monday, May 18 and its first regular-season game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Friday, June 5.
In 2025, Calgary finished third in the West Division standings with an 11-7 record but lost the West Semi-Final to the B.C. Lions.
