Ottawa Redblacks slump to 0-9 as injuries, firings and roster shifts deepen crisis
Ryan Dinwiddie’s Ottawa Redblacks drop to 0-9 amid injuries, firings and roster churn, deepening a losing streak that all but eliminates their playoff chances.
The Ottawa Redblacks opened this season with promise under new head coach and general manager Ryan Dinwiddie but have slid to an 0-9 start that has effectively ended their postseason hopes. The Redblacks keyword has become a fixture of concern in the CFL as injuries, staff changes and roster turnover compound on-field struggles. Dinwiddie urged players to play for the love of the game as the club seeks to halt a modern era losing streak that has grown to 15 consecutive defeats.
Redblacks fall to 0-9 as losses mount
The Redblacks became the 13th CFL team to lose their first nine games of a season and set a modern era record with 15 straight defeats last week in Winnipeg. That streak surpassed the previous mark set by the Shreveport Pirates in 1994 and leaves Ottawa with a bleak statistical profile across both offense and defense.
Ottawa averages 23 points per game while allowing 35.8, placing the team at or near the bottom of virtually every major category heading into Week 12. With half the season remaining the arithmetic of recovery has become steep and the playoff picture is all but closed.
Dinwiddie responds amid mounting pressure
Dinwiddie left Toronto after five seasons and back to back Grey Cup titles for the promotion in Ottawa and has acknowledged the challenge has been greater than expected. He remained animated at practice, urging players to find the joy in competing even as results continue to go against them.
The coach said morale is about as strong as possible under the circumstances and praised the locker room for avoiding finger pointing. He insisted the focus must remain on playing winning football and on the next man stepping up in the face of injuries.
Injury crisis and roster moves reshape season
The Redblacks carry a league high 17 players on the six game injured list, a factor that has forced constant lineup changes and limited continuity. That medical toll has coincided with significant roster moves including the release of veterans and a trade that sent former starter Dru Brown to Winnipeg.
Quarterback decisions have been notable, with Dinwiddie handing the No. 1 job to Jake Maier out of training camp and moving on from options who previously started games. That instability at the game’s most critical position has made it harder for Ottawa to build the offensive rhythm needed to win close contests.
Organizational changes follow string of defeats
Ottawa has responded to the slide with staff changes including the dismissal of defensive coordinator Will Fields and the hiring of Jeff Reinebold to take over the unit. The team also saw a front office shift when Adrian Sciarra stepped down as president earlier this week, signaling instability beyond the playing field.
Those moves have not yet translated into improved attendance or results as home crowds have dipped to an average of just over 15,000 through five games compared with more than 18,000 last season. The franchise has made the playoffs only once since 2019 and its record over that stretch stands at 27 wins, 85 losses and one tie.
Upcoming test at Montreal underlines mismatch
Ottawa travels to Montreal to face the league leading Alouettes, a matchup that pits a battered and struggling roster against an offence firing on all cylinders. The Alouettes return from a bye with several starters back and boast a quarterback wide receiver tandem that has put Montreal on pace for record numbers.
Davis Alexander is posting prolific passing numbers and wide receiver Tyson Philpot has emerged as a frequent target, while Montreal’s defense will welcome back reinforcements ahead of the game. Most sportsbooks list the Alouettes as heavy favourites, reflecting the stark contrast in form and health between the clubs.
Players vow focus on one game at a time
Despite the headlines and the numbers, players say the response is a simple one game at a time approach and a commitment to compete. Linebacker Lucas Cormier urged teammates to stop feeling sorry and to concentrate on going 1-0 each week with a short memory and hard work.
Montreal’s Geoffrey Cantin Arku warned his team not to underestimate Ottawa and reminded reporters that even an 0-9 club can win if the favourite does not show up. That caution underscores the unpredictability of the league and the slender margin that separates preparation from complacency.
The Redblacks face immediate pressure to provide signs of progress beyond rhetoric and lineup changes, with a road trip to Montreal offering perhaps the clearest barometer of whether the club can steady itself. With playoff hopes largely extinguished the focus will be on competitive improvement, player development and the search for a foundation to rebuild from as the season progresses.
