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TORONTO — We already know Henry Burris won’t play in Week 2 for the Ottawa REDBLACKS, but some other big names are still up in the air.
What’s the latest on Pierre Lavertu, Lemar Durant and Weston Dressler?
That and much, much more in the latest Checking Down:
Jump to team:
| BC | Calgary | Edmonton | Saskatchewan | Winnipeg | Hamilton | Toronto | Ottawa | Montreal |
BC LIONS
Steven Clarke and Chris Rainey celebrate during the Lions’ come-from-behind win (The Canadian Press)
– After a tough first three quarters, how did the Lions’ O-line help pave the way to a win in the fourth? (Cam Tucker, Vancouver Sun).
– What’s the latest on Lions’ 2015 draft pick and high-ranked prospect Christian Covington? The Houston Texans D-lineman was in Vancouver and answered some questions this week (BCLions.com).
– Jovan Olafioye’s move to the left side of the O-line is a big one for the Lions, but is it the right one? (Mike Beamish, Vancouver Province).
EDMONTON ESKIMOS
Derel Walker high-points the ball during season-opening action in Edmonton (The Canadian Press)
– With seven catches for 149 yards in his team’s season-opening loss, last year’s Most Outstanding Rookie Derel Walker is setting the pace early for the Eskimos (Gerry Moddejonge, Edmonton Journal).
– The Eskimos gave up 543 passing yards and 27 first downs on defence, but Head Coach Jason Maas says there’s plenty of blame to go around after Week 1 (Dan Barnes, Edmonton Journal).
CALGARY STAMPEDERS
Lemar Durant appears to be a longshot to play for the Stamps on Friday night (The Canadian Press)
– What’s the latest on former Stamps receiver Jeff Fuller? He’s been waived by the Seattle Seahawks after being placed on injured reserve (Bob Condotta, Seattle Times).
– Still no word on whether or not Pierre Lavertu will be ready to play Friday night, as he’s taken some snaps at centre but not participated in full (News Talk 770 Calgary).
– Lemar Durant remains questionable for Friday’s game but is starting to sound like a longshot to play (Scott Mitchell, Calgary Sun).
– The CalgaryNext dream which involves a future home for the Stampeders is still alive, at least for the next 90 days (CBC News).
– Bo Levi Mitchell and the Stamps are viewing their Week 1 loss to BC as a ‘wake-up call’ (Scott Mitchell, Calgary Sun).
SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS
Darian Durant will look to shake off the rust in his first game in over a year (The Canadian Press)
– The Riders’ defensive ends won’t just be putting their heads down and rushing the quarterback. They’ll have to do many things for Chris Jones, even dropping into coverage (Murray McCormick, Regina Leader-Post).
– Recently-added quarterback G.J. Kinne is an intriguing prospect for the Riders, writes Rob Vanstone, and is Kendial Lawrence the second coming of Corey Holmes? (Rob Vanstone, Regina Leader-Post).
– The return of Darian Durant Thursday is highly-anticipated, but don’t be surprised if he shows some rust in his first game in over a year (Curtis Rush, The Toronto Star).
– Chris Jones addressed some fans at practice personally this week, asking them to avoid leaking any game plans from practice on social media (The Snap).
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
– It’s a good sign that Weston Dressler returned to practice on Tuesday, but his status for Friday’s game remains unknown (Scott Billick, Winnipeg Free Press). UPDATE: Dressler has since been ruled out for Friday’s game
– Euclid Cummings says the Bombers are ‘still a new team’ and there’s no reason to panic yet in Winnipeg after a season-opening loss to Montreal (Ed Tait, BlueBombers.com).
HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
Simoni Lawrence said his Top Performer honour belongs to his teammates, not just him (CFL.ca)
– Simoni Lawrence was named a Shaw Top Performer for his efforts in a win over the Argos, but on Tuesday he dedicated the award to his defensive teammates (Ticats.ca).
– Given the nature of Jacory Harris’s injury, the Ticats had little choice but to bring in former Florida State pivot Everett Golson (Terry Koshan, Toronto Sun).
– Ticats defensive coordinator Orlondo Steinauer didn’t plan to have John Chick drop into coverage, but the veteran pass rusher is proving he can do it just fine (Steve Milton, Hamilton Spectator).
TORONTO ARGONAUTS
The Argos have some work to do ahead of their second game in Saskatchewan (The Canadian Press)
– The Argos’ new-look marketing campaign has taken centre stage the past few weeks. What has the team done to try and attract new fans? (Andrew Bucholtz, 55 Yard Line).
– If Scott Milanovich is in a grumpy mood this week, it’s because he’s still frustrated with his team’s opening-day loss to the Ticats and the inability to take advantage of momentum (Frank Zicarelli, Toronto Sun).
– Milanovich says playing a team like the Riders with such a new look poses many different challenges (Argonauts.ca).
OTTAWA REDBLACKS
Trevor Harris couldn’t be stopped in his relief appearances, but some changes could be on the way (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
– Trevor Harris is starting this week for the REDBLACKS, but will it change their offence? A little bit, says offensive coordinator Jaime Elizondo (TSN 1200).
MONTREAL ALOUETTES
John Bowman records one of his two sacks on Bombers pivot Drew Willy (The Canadian Press)
– Remembering back to two years ago when John Bowman was benched for two games, it’s amazing to think how fast things have changed for the veteran pass rusher (Herb Zurkowsky, Montreal Gazette).
– The Alouettes are a pretty big underdog in CFL Pick ‘Em this week, but after being the king of underdogs in 2015, can they come through with another upset on Thursday night in the Marquee Matchup?
