Dave Chidley/CFL.ca
The existence of running backs can be fickle. One 20-yard carry can easily be followed by a two-yard loss, capped off by a seemingly innocent 12-yard screen pass resulting in an injury that lands them on the injured list.
Week 6 will see the position thinned significantly, as Toronto’s Brandon Whitaker was placed on the six-game injured list on Tuesday while Tyrell Sutton is expected to sit out Thursday’s game against Winnipeg. The duo highlights this week’s list of the bold and bruised.
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Montreal at Winnipeg
Thursday | 8:30 p.m. ET
Brandon Rutley will make his second straight start against the Bombers on Thursday (Dominick Gravel/Montreal Alouettes)
If Sutton misses his second straight game, the door opens for Brandon Rutley to get another start. Rutley ($5,547) rushed for 48 yards on 13 carries in his 2017 debut last week against Ottawa, but did add four receptions for 41 yards. He should be viewed as a low-end RB2 and a gamble at Flex.
The Als will also be without deep ball threat Tiquan Underwood, who had five catches for 95 yards and a touchdown against the REDBLACKS before sustaining an ankle injury. With Underwood sidelined, Montreal will turn to rookie Eugene Lewis, who played collegiately at Penn State before transferring to Oklahoma for his final year of eligibility. Lewis has talent, yet shouldn’t be seriously considered for Fantasy purposes.
The Blue Bombers appear to be in good shape on the offensive side of the ball, but injuries in the secondary could present an opportunity for Alouettes pivot Darian Durant ($9,323) to take advantage. That still shouldn’t be enough to invest in Durant, who leads a Montreal attack that has struggled to put the ball into the end zone.
BC at Edmonton
Friday | 9:30 p.m. ET
With Adarius Bowman out, Brandon Zylstra has had to pick up the slack for the Esks (The Canadian Press)
The obvious focus on the Lions is Travis Lulay ($9,214) who will get his second start in place of Jonathon Jennings (shoulder) who did some light throwing on Tuesday but will remained sidelined for at least another week. Lulay has thrown four interceptions against his five majors, yet faces an Edmonton pass defense that ranks at or near the top of the league in most categories. Whether Lulay can keep his hot hand against an aggressive set of Eskimos could be the difference between the Lions falling further behind in the West Division or moving within a half-game of first place.
Adarius Bowman is in the second game of his stint on the injured list, meaning Mike Reilly ($13,518) will throw to emerging star Brandon Zylstra ($5,403) and Vidal Hazelton ($3,914). Zylstra is a WR1 while Hazelton fits either as a low-end WR2 or a good play at the Flex spot. Keep an eye on Bryant Mitchell ($2,500), who had five catches for 76 yards and a touchdown in his debut last week against Hamilton.
Toronto at Saskatchewan
Saturday | 6:30 p.m. ET
James Wilder Jr. is slated to get more starts with Brandon Whitaker on the six-game (David Chidley/CFL.ca)
With Whitaker out, James Wilder ($3,000) gets his third start of the year. He’s intriguing when considering the Roughriders have struggled against the run, but Wilder could see his touches curbed by the Argos’ desire to get Martese Jackson ($2,500) more involved in the offence. Both cancel each other out as Toronto – which ranks last in the league in rushing yards and yards per carry – will continue throwing the ball at better than an 80 percent rate.
The Roughriders activated Kienan LaFrance ($2,500) off the injured list last week but he did not get a touch in last week’s loss to Calgary. Both he and Greg Morris ($2,500) will look to siphon carries from Cameron Marshall ($5,227), who has been steady yet unspectacular in his role of lead back.
Hamilton at Calgary
Saturday | 9:30 p.m. ET
Zach Collaros received a vote of confidence this week from Ticats coach Kent Austin (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
The Ticats don’t have major injury concerns with the skill position players, but a banged-up secondary brought back International defensive back Dominique Ellis on Tuesday to help bolster a unit that is last in points allowed per game (35.3) and passing yards allowed per contest (418), numbers that Stampeders pivot Bo Levi Mitchell ($11,687) can reach.
Zach Collaros ($9,214) isn’t injured, but the dreaded vote of confidence from coach Kent Austin is an ominous sign that Jeremiah Masoli isn’t long from getting a chance to jump-start a winless Hamilton team.
Calgary’s injury news is on the upswing as linebacker Deron Mayo and defensive back Brandon Smith are expected to return to the roster, giving the Stamps added depth against a Hamilton offence that has yet to find its stride.
