Johany Jutras/CFL.ca
TORONTO — Former Lions starAlex Bazzie could be heading northbound following a busy weekend of NFL cuts.
Plus, what’s the latest on recent injuries to Cameron Marshall, Kyle Knox and Shawn Lemon?
It’s grudge week in the CFL as the Bombers and Eskimos set out for revenge. We check on the latest in this week’s Checking Down as it all gets under way Friday:
Jump to team:
| BC | Calgary | Edmonton | Saskatchewan | Winnipeg | Hamilton | Toronto | Ottawa | Montreal |
BC LIONS
Wally Buono’s team will see plenty of changes coming off the bye vs. Montreal (David Chidley/CFL.ca)
– The Lions’ O-line depth continues to be tested but Cody Husband and David Foucault are both expected to return to the starting lineup this week (Lowell Ullrich, TSN).
– In an effort to bolster their struggling pass rush, the Lions will turn to first-year edge rusher Kenneth Boatright, who will be the team’s 12th different defensive lineman to dress this season (Lowell Ullrich, TSN).
– Speaking of the Lions’ pass rush, Alex Bazzie could be a quick solution for Wally Buono’s club. The two sides are reportedly in talks after Bazzie was released from the NFL (Farhan Lalji, TSN).
– The Lions are ready to give 23-year-old Micah Awe his first CFL start. Awe has impressed on special teams but now gets the assignment over Tony Burnett at WILL linebacker (Steve Ewen, The Vancouver Province).
EDMONTON ESKIMOS
Derel Walker is Edmonton-bound following his release by the Bucs (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
– The Eskimos confirmed the signing of Derel Walker Wednesday after the receiver was released by the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers (CFL.ca).
– Jason Maas said there was little question about leaving Mike Reilly in for the fourth quarter, and it allowed the Esks’ pivot to ‘get out of his little funk’ (Morley Scott, CHED).
CALGARY STAMPEDERS
Alex Singleton earned weekly honours after another solid game on Labour Day (The Canadian Press)
– At 8-1-1 and distancing themselves from the rest of the West, the Stamps are nowhere near content with their recent play (Daniel Austin, Calgary Herald).
– After a one-sided win over Edmonton in the Labour Day Classic, Stamps defenders Alex Singleton and Shaquille Richardson also dominated the Shaw Top Performers for Week 11 (CFL.ca).
SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS
Cameron Marshall will miss at least one game after exiting Sunday’s win with an injury (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
– With Cameron Marshall ruled out, Kienan LaFrance will make his first start as a Roughrider in Saturday’s Banjo Bowl (CFL.ca).
– After their third straight win — all against West opponents — the Riders have jumped to second in the Nissan Titan Power Rankings (CFL.ca).
– After plenty of accusations in the Labour Day Classic, from stalling tactics to a spitting incident with a fan, this weekend’s Banjo Bowl is as highly-anticipated as ever (Murray McCormick, Regina Leader-Post).
– With 19 touchdowns in his first nine games of the season, 38-year-old Kevin Glenn is putting himself in pretty unique company in Riders history (Rob Vanstone, Regina Leader-Post).
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
There’s no word yet on Bombers injured linebacker Kyle Knox (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
– While there’s always something special about the Banjo Bowl, this year’s game offers some added flare with both teams on fire going into the game (Ted Wyman, Winnipeg Sun).
– T.J. Heath and Taylor Loffler both exited Sunday’s loss with injuries but returned, while linebacker Kyle Knox did not return from his undisclosed injury (BlueBombers.com).
– The Blue Bombers are accusing the Roughriders of stall tactics during last Sunday’s Labour Day Classic, alleging they faked injuries to slow down the Winnipeg up-tempo offence (Ken Wiebe, Winnipeg Sun).
HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
The Ticats confirmed last week that they worked out former Heisman winner Johnny Manziel (The Associated Press)
– While a deal may not be imminent right now, don’t rule out the chance of Johnny Manziel coming to Hamilton just yet (Dave Naylor, TSN).
– The Ticats announced the addition of six new players on Wednesday, including nationals Ben D’Aguilar, Frank Renaud and Mitchell Baines (Ticats.ca).
– If the Ticats are going to claw their way back into the East Division race, that had to start with a win on Labour Day (Steve Milton, The Hamilton Spectator).
TORONTO ARGONAUTS
Shawn Lemon exited Monday’s Labour Day loss with an injury and will undergo further testing (Patrick Doyle/CFL.ca)
– For the Argos to get on the right track in 2017, better protection for quarterback Ricky Ray is a must (Mike Ganter, Toronto Sun).
– While the Boatmen hope for better health over their bye week, they’ll hold their breaths while waiting for MRI results on injured defensive end Shawn Lemon (Mike Ganter, Toronto Sun).
OTTAWA REDBLACKS
Brad Sinopoli and Greg Ellingson remain the league’s top receiving tandem (The Canadian Press)
– While Trevor Harris leads the CFL in most passing categories, one stat stands out in the negative: his seven fumbles (Don Brennan, Ottawa Citizen).
– Despite his blazing start to the season, Greg Ellingson is still unlikely to reach 2,000 receiving yards. But the veteran receiver sees no reason he can’t accomplish the feat (Don Brennan, Ottawa Citizen).
MONTREAL ALOUETTES
Anthony Sarao makes a tackle during the Alouettes’ Week 11 loss to Ottawa (The Canadian Press)
– Als middle linebacker Anthony Sarao (shoulder) was injured vs. Ottawa and will be replaced by Brandon Dozier vs. BC (Herb Zurkowsky, Montreal Gazette).
– After a long and successful CFL career, Marc Olivier Brouillette has made a fast and seamless transition to a career in law (Herb Zurkowsky, Montreal Gazette).
