The Canadian Press
TORONTO — It’s Round 2 for the Argos and Als in Toronto, perhaps with an added twist as quarterback Ricky Ray eyes a Week 9 return.
Plus, Vernon Adams is on his way to Regina while Kenny Shaw and Emanuel Davis are slated to make their 2017 debuts.
Finally, there doesn’t appear to be any quarterback controversy in BC as Jonathon Jennings remains in the starting role for the LIons.
We check on the latest in this week’s Checking Down as Week 9 kicks off Thursday:
Jump to team:
| BC | Calgary | Edmonton | Saskatchewan | Winnipeg | Hamilton | Toronto | Ottawa | Montreal |
BC LIONS
Jonathon Jennings will remain in his starting role for a Week 9 contest with the Stamps (The Canadian Press)
– Wally Buono has told the quarterbacks in BC that Jonathon Jennings will start the team’s Week 9 contest vs. the Stamps (Farhan Lalji, TSN).
– Antonio Johnson is in for Hunter Steward at left tackle for the Lions at practice this week while Anthony Gaitor and Bryant Turner Jr. are practising with the first-team defence. Bryan Burnham has not been seen at practice (Farhan Lalji, TSN).
– According to a report, the Lions attempted to sign 2017 CFL Draft pick Qadr Spooner off the Bombers’ practice roster — but Spooner opted to stay in Winnipeg (Justin Dunk, 3 Down Nation).
EDMONTON ESKIMOS
Brandon Zylstra remains sidelined for the Eskimos heading into Week 9 (The Canadian Press)
– Defensive linemen Almondo Sewell and Marcus Howard are out of the lineup for the Eskimos in Week 9 while Brandon Zylstra also remains sidelined. Drawing back in are offensive linemen Danny Groulx and Justin Sorensen.
– Also back in a starting role for the Eskimos this week is rookie receiver D’haquille Williams. The Eskimos will, however, be without Garry Peters despite him practising this week (Dave Campbell, CHED).
CALGARY STAMPEDERS
Deron Mayo’s return to the Calgary lineup will have to wait at least one more week (Jimmy Jeong/CFL.ca)
– The Stamps will have to wait a little longer for Deron Mayo, who reportedly needs more time to nurse his injury (Daniel Austin, Calgary Herald).
– With Lemar Durant, Juwan Brescacin and Kamar Jorden all on the six-game, Rory Kohlert will take on a bigger role in the Stamps’ offence alongside Anthony Parker (Rita Mingo, Calgary Herald).
SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS
– Chris Jones says the game plan was the same in Week 8’s win over BC, although the numbers say the Riders — while still emphasizing three- or four-man pass rushes — brought more extra attackers than previously (Rob Vanstone, Regina Leader-Post).
– What does Vernon Adams bring to the Riders? Jamie Nye says that while Glenn’s job is safe now, he envisions Adams competing for the starting job in 2018 (Jamie Nye, CFL.ca).
– After their team’s dominant performance in Week 8, Kevin Glenn and Ed Gainey earned Shaw Top Performer honours this week (CFL.ca).
– The Riders and Lions exchanged blowouts over the last two weeks, but what does it all mean? Matthew Cauz weighs in with seven takeaways (Matthew Cauz, CFL.ca).
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
Mike O’Shea heads into the Bombers’ Week 9 clash with the same lineup as a week ago (The Canadian Press)
– According to Justin Dunk of 3 Down Nation, 2017 draft pick Qadr Spooner has opted to stay with the Bombers after being offered a contract by BC (Drew Edwards, 3 Down Nation).
– With Canadian Air Force flyovers and a 50/50 pot starting at $100,000, Thursday’s showdown between the 7-0 Esks and 5-2 Bombers should see a raucous Winnipeg home crowd (Ted Wyman, Winnipeg Sun).
– Despite playing on a short week, it appears the Bombers head into their Week 9 matchup without any new key injuries (Darrin Bauming, TSN 1290).
HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
Emanuel Davis could make his 2017 debut for the Ticats this week (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
– Injuries continue to mount for the Tabbies’ D-line as Ted Laurent is unlikely to play Friday, Michael Atkinson is on the six-game while Evan Gill appears to have injured his Achilles tendon (Steve Milton, 3 Down Nation).
– Is this the week the Ticats pick up win No. 1? Jamie Nye thinks so as he makes his Week 9 picks (Jamie Nye, CFL.ca).
– While a QB change may not be imminent, Ticats head coach Kent Austin says he needs better play out of the position moving forward (Drew Edwards, 3 Down Nation).
– Defensive backs Emanuel Davis and Demond Washington were back on the field for the Ticats, although their status for Week 9 remains unknown (Steve Milton, The Hamilton Spectator).
– Should the Ticats sign Johnny Manziel? The debate continues in The Weekly Say (CFL.ca).
TORONTO ARGONAUTS
The Argos could welcome DeVier Posey back to their lineup as early as this week (Johany Jutras/Argonauts.ca)
– Ricky Ray took on about a quarter of his workload throwing passes at Tuesday’s practice. The Argos’ QB remains questionable for Saturday’s rematch with the Als (Dave Naylor, TSN).
– The Argos could have DeVier Posey back in the lineup on Saturday following his return to practice. Meanwhile, with Khalil Paden out, the team could soon get a look at newcomer Kendall Sanders (Frank Zicarelli, Toronto Sun).
– Injured defensive linemen Cleyon Laing and Victor Butler will not return in Week 9 but Marc Trestman says Alan-Michael Cash could finally make his Argos debut against his former team (Frank Zicarelli, Toronto Sun).
OTTAWA REDBLACKS
REDBLACKS GM Marcel Desjardins isn’t planning any coaching changes in the nation’s capital (Matt Smith/CFL.ca)
– While some cuts were made early in the week for the 1-6-1 REDBLACKS, GM Marcel Desjardins doesn’t anticipate any coaching changes on the horizon (Tim Baines, Ottawa Citizen).
– Kenny Shaw is set to return for the REDBLACKS but Quincy McDuffie is questionable after missing Tuesday’s practice. Fullback Anthony Gosselin remains questionable (Tim Baines, Ottawa Citizen).
MONTREAL ALOUETTES
Darian Durant and the Als hope to sweep their home and home series with the Argos (The Canadian Press)
– The Alouettes have reportedly signed former Lions receiver and national Stephen Adekolu (Justin Dunk, 3 Down Nation).
– Philippe Gagnon (knee) has been placed on the Als’ six-game injured list and will be replaced by Jeremy Lewis at left guard (Didier Orméjuste, RDS).
– With Vernon Adams heading to Regina, Drew Willy takes on backup duties at quarterback for the Alouettes (Didier Orméjuste, RDS).
– Kyries Hebert has been hit with the maximum allowable fine for his hit on Argos quarterback Cody Fajardo in Week 8 (CFL.ca).
