THE CANADIAN PRESS
TORONTO — Brock Jensen and G.J. Kinne are expected to get plenty of playing time in Week 20 as the Riders and REDBLACKS look to their younger pivots in the finale.
Plus, is Cleyon Laing on the verge of signing in the nation’s capital?
That and much, much more in the latest Checking Down:
Jump to team:
| BC | Calgary | Edmonton | Saskatchewan | Winnipeg | Hamilton | Toronto | Ottawa | Montreal |
BC LIONS
– The BC Lions have signed kicker Paul McCallum out of retirement, the team confirmed Tuesday.
– McCallum will look to go out on the same high note that Lui Passaglia did when he retired at the same age of 46 back in 2000 (Mike Beamish, The Vancouver Province).
EDMONTON ESKIMOS
Mike Reilly is expected to be among those wearing live mics in Week 20 (The Canadian Press)
– Jason Maas, Scott Milanovich and players from the Esks and Argos will wear live mics in Saturday’s game as #CFLWired returns to TSN.
CALGARY STAMPEDERS
Marquay McDaniel should be able to play in the Western Final on Nov. 20 (The Canadian Press)
– While Tory Harrison’s season is over after suffering an Achilles injury, the Stamps expect to have Bakari Grant, Junior Turner, Maleki Harris and Marquay McDaniel back for the Western Final (Stampeders.com).
– After losing Deron Mayo, Tory Harrison and potentially Pierre Lavertu to season-ending injuries, sitting Bo Levi Mitchell vs. Montreal was the safe move for Dave Dickenson (Kirk Penton, Winnipeg Sun).
SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS
Darian Durant is expected to share time at quarterback for the second straight week (The Canadian Press)
– The Riders have released receiver Tommy Streater, who was acquired in the Justin Capicciotti trade with the Ticats. They also announced Tuesday the release of Aundrey Walker and Lawrence Walker, both international offensive linemen.
– G.J. Kinne is expected to get some time at quarterback along with Darian Durant this week for the Riders (Taylor Shire, Global Regina).
– Pass protection continues to be a major issue for the Riders, who allowed seven sacks in their Week 19 loss to BC (Mike Abou-Mechrek, Regina Leader-Post).
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
– While a home playoff game is on the line this weekend, the Bombers are expected to rest linebacker Khalil Bass and receiver Clarence Denmark for the season finale (Bob Irving, CJOB).
– Matt Nichols said his Week 19 performance was his worst of the season, but he’s taking it all in stride and calling it a wake up call (Russ Hobson, Global News).
HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
It appears Andy Fantuz will be out for the foreseeable future after suffering a torn ACL (The Canadian Press).
– Andy Fantuz is expected to miss the rest of 2016 and a large part of 2017 with a suspected torn ACL (Drew Edwards, 3 Down Nation).
TORONTO ARGONAUTS
Diontae Spencer is among an Argos receiving trio slated for free agency (The Canadian Press)
– Cleyon Laing could be looking to return to the CFL in time for the playoffs with a contender, meaning the Argos are out of the equation (Gary Lawless, TSN).
– With an eye on the future, three players the Argos will be focused on this off-season are Anthony Coombs, Kenny Shaw and Diontae Spencer — all pending free agents (Frank Zicarelli, Toronto Sun).
OTTAWA REDBLACKS
– Chris Williams has undergone successful surgery to repair the torn ACL and meniscus in his right knee (Justin Dunk, 3 Down Nation).
– The Ottawa REDBLACKS have reportedly signed former Argos defensive tackle Cleyon Laing, who could play as early as Friday (Tim Baines, Ottawa Sun).
– Should Henry Burris be the East Division’s Most Outstanding Player? One anonymous executive believes that’s definitely the case (Kirk Penton, Winnipeg Sun).
– The REDBLACKS will look at their young pivots this week with Brock Jensen getting the start, Danny O’Brien getting reps and Trevor Harris as No. 3 as Henry Burris will not suit up (AJ Jakubec, TSN 1200).
MONTREAL ALOUETTES
An injury to Vernon Adams Jr. has once again opened the door for Rakeem Cato to prove himself (The Canadian Press)
– While the Als may have Rakeem Cato pegged for the long-term backup role, the 24-year-old quarterback believes he’s been a victim of circumstance (Herb Zurkowsky, Montreal Gazette).
– Robert Wetenhall and the Als continue to be impressed by interim head coach Jacques Chapdelaine (3-2) but aren’t yet committing to him in the position beyond 2016 (Herb Zurkowsky, Montreal Gazette).
