Checking Down: Harris’ status still up in the air, Ticats still fighting injury
TORONTO — Will Andrew Harris be among Bombers returning to the lineup on Friday night?
Plus, where could Willie Jefferson end up as he eyes a return north of the border?
That and much, much more in the latest Checking Down:
Jump to team:
BC | Calgary | Edmonton | Saskatchewan | Winnipeg | Hamilton | Toronto | Ottawa | Montreal |
BC LIONS
– Anthony Allen is getting another shot in the Lions’ backfield as their running back rotation continues (Farhan Lalji, TSN.ca).
– The Lions lead the CFL in rushing yards by a wide margin, thanks to a large part in 37-year-old running backs coach Adam Blasetti (Mike Beamish, Vancouver Province).
– A Super Bowl Champion with the Seattle Seahawks in 2014, Chandler Fenner is bringing a championship pedigree to the Lions’ secondary (Cam Tucker, Vancouver Province).
EDMONTON ESKIMOS
– It appears the Eskimos will have Marcus Howard back in the lineup when they take on the Bombers on Friday (Dave Campbell, CHED).
– No word yet on where he will sign, but Willie Jefferson appears primed for a CFL return and the Eskimos have to be in the running (Gerry Moddejonge, Edmonton Sun).
– Shakir Bell has officially taken over the Esks’ starting running back job, supplanting third-year back John White (Gerry Moddejonge, Edmonton Sun).
– The Esks have released international defensive end Reuben Frank (Esks.com).
CALGARY STAMPEDERS
– From coaches to teammates to teachers, everyone raved about defensive back Mylan Hicks (Scott Cruickshank, Calgary Herald).
– Back on the field for the first time since the tragic death of Mylan Hicks, the Stampeders are using football to help heal (CFL.ca).
SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS
– If Willie Jefferson is set to return to the CFL, could a reunion with Chris Jones be on the horizon? (Dave Campbell, CHED).
– A major part of the Riders’ two-game winning streak? Improved discipline, as the team is taking fewer penalties (Ian Hamilton, Regina Leader-Post).
– The hit that changed Fred Bennett’s life came off the field, as the Riders defensive back reflects on a close call on a South Carolina highway (Ian Hamilton, Regina Leader-Post).
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
– Andrew Harris, Ian Wild and Quincy McDuffie all practised on Tuesday and could return to action Friday vs. Edmonton (Bob Irving, CJOB).
– Former Bombers coaching great Bud Grant will be the next member added to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers Ring of Honour (Paul Friesen, Winnipeg Sun).
HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
– The Ticats remain without C.J. Gable and Luke Tasker, while Rico Murray was also among those not practising in Hamilton on Tuesday (Drew Edwards, 3 Down Nation).
TORONTO ARGONAUTS
– An Edmonton victory in Week 14 has the Argos feeling the pressure, as they’ll need a solid five-game stretch in order to make the playoffs this season (Mike Ganter, Toronto Sun).
– With Drew Willy likely to make his first start as an Argo, he and his new team will be closely connected to any future success or failure (CFL.ca).
OTTAWA REDBLACKS
– The REDBLACKS’ O-line took a major hit this week, as SirVincent Rogers is expected to miss the remainder of the 2016 season (TSN.ca).
– With Rogers out, Ottawa first-round pick Jason Lauzon-Seguin will get the opportunity to protect Trevor Harris’ blindside (Tim Baines, Ottawa Sun).
MONTREAL ALOUETTES
– If the Alouettes are going to get as park from Jacques Chapdelaine, their new head coach is calling on the fans to play a role (CFL.ca).