Checking Down: Bridge taking first-team reps

TORONTO — Kevin Glenn’s status remains in doubt for the Riders as Brandon Bridge takes first-team reps in practice.

Plus, the Riders and Lions are set for more reinforcements as big names Alex Bazzie and Otha Foster return from their time in the NFL.

Finally, are the Ottawa REDBLACKS considering bringing back Henry Burris in the midst of Trevor Harris’ shoulder injury?

We check on the latest in this week’s Checking Down as Week 13 gets under way Friday:

Jump to team:

BC | Calgary | Edmonton | Saskatchewan | Winnipeg | Hamilton | Toronto | Ottawa | Montreal

BC LIONS

 

– Alex Bazzie is reportedly set to sign with the BC Lions (Farhan Lalji, TSN).

– Following his season-ending knee injury, Travis Lulay says he’s not yet ready to make a determination on his football future (Lowell Ullrich, The Canadian Press).

– About to be inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, Geroy Simon’s voice made an impact off the field as much as on it (Chris O’Leary, CFL.ca).

– After playing on Monday Night Football, former Lions linebacker Adam Bighill has been dropped from the Saints’ active roster — but will likely return to the practice roster (Steve Ewen, Vancouver Province).

– While his playing days may be over, Ryan Phillips’ new career as a regional scout with the Lions is just getting started (Matt Baker, BCLions.com).

EDMONTON ESKIMOS

Cory Watson’s name has been whispered among trade rumours in Edmonton (The Canadian Press)

– Canadian receivers Shamawd Chambers and Cory Watson have reportedly been brought up by the Eskimos in trade talks (David Naylor, TSN).

– Esks defensive back Johnny Adams has returned to practice, while Neil King and Travon Van are getting more work (Dave Campbell, CHED).

– With an injury-depleted secondary, the Eskimos have added some veteran help in recently-released defensive back A.J. Jefferson. CHED‘s Dave Campbell says Jefferson could thrive in Benevides’ zone defensive system (Dave Campbell, CHED).

– In an injury-filled season for the Double E, the return of Derel Walker offers a light at the end of the tunnel (Terry Jones, Edmonton Journal).

CALGARY STAMPEDERS

Stamps quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell will play his 100th career game this week (Larry MacDougal/CFL.ca)

– The Stamps have received some good news on their injured pass-catchers, as DaVaris Daniels’ injury is not as bad as initially feared, while Kamar Jorden could be nearing a return (Daniel Austin, Calgary Herald).

– Meanwhile, Reggie Begelton could be close to getting his opportunity as the Stamps get set to face the Lions in Week 13 (Daniel Austin, Calgary Herald).

– Bo Levi Mitchell has no recollection of his first game back on July 1st, 2012, perhaps because this week, Mitchell will play his 100th CFL game (George Johnson, Stampeders.com).

SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS

The return of Otha Foster provides a significant boost to the Riders’ defence (Geoff Robins/CFL.ca)

– It was backup Brandon Bridge who ran the first-team offence at Riders practice on Wednesday, potentially leaving Kevin Glenn’s status in doubt for Week 13 (Ian Hamilton, Riderville.com).

– The Riders have brought back a familiar face in DB Otha Foster, and also added kick returner Marcus Thigpen. Both practised on Wednesday and are expected to play in Week 13 (CFL.ca).

– Recently-added linebacker Jeff Knox Jr. said he had other CFL options, but his loyalty to the Green and White played a large part in his decision to return (Ian Hamilton, Riderville.com).

WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS

Bombers coach Mike O’Shea will receive his Hall of Fame induction this week (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

– With his upcoming induction into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, Mike O’Shea takes a reluctant and epsecially rare step into the spotlight (Ed Tait, BlueBombers.com).

– After 33,000 fans packed Investors Group Field at the Banjo Bowl, fans who were in attendance can zoom in and find themselves in a 360 degree panoramic shot (The Snap).

– Almost lost in the excitement of the Banjo Bowl was the announcement that Mark’s CFL Week will be heading to Winnipeg in 2018 after a successful first year in Regina (CFL.ca).

HAMILTON TIGER-CATS

The Ticats have released sophomore receiver Brian Tyms (David Chidley/CFL.ca)

– Andy Fantuz is eyeing his return to football, but the Ticats’ current assistant will not be ready to sign a contract in time for Friday’s matchup vs. the Riders (Drew Edwards, The Hamilton Spectator).

– The Ticats have parted ways with once-promising sophomore receiver Brian Tyms, the team announced Wednesday (CFL.ca).

– The Tabbies have brought back running back Alex Green and defensive back Mariel Cooper, who were both previously released (Steve Milton, The Hamilton Spectator).

– With a key divisional win over Ottawa, the Ticats’ playoff odds have increased from 0.19 per cent to 11.5 per cent according to CFL Simulation (CFL.ca).

TORONTO ARGONAUTS

Victor Butler is expected to rejoin the Argos’ lineup this week vs. Edmonton (The Canadian Press)

– Offensive line coach Mitch Browning’s departure for health issues has led to the Argos hiring Jonathan Himebauch, a familiar face both to Marc Trestman and the Argos (Frank Zicarelli, Toronto Sun).

– A handful of Argos, including S.J. Green, Marcus Ball and Brandon Harris, were in Florida with family members following Hurricane Irma — but are ready to return to the practice field on Wednesday (Mike Ganter, Toronto Sun).

– The Argos appear to have reinforcements coming off the bye, with Cleyon Laing and Victor Butler back at practice. Shawn Lemon, however, is not ready to return (Terry Koshan, Toronto Sun).

OTTAWA REDBLACKS

While Trevor Harris nurses a shoulder injury, it doesn’t appear Henry Burris will be a replacement (The Canadian Press)

– Ottawa’s O-line could see some changes as centre Jon Gott has been spotted with a cast on his right wrist. Alex Mateas and Matt Albright are getting looks at centre while Evan Johnson is in at left guard at practice (Tim Baines, Ottawa Sun).

– The REDBLACKS will reportedly not reach out to Henry Burris following a shoulder injury to Trevor Harris that will keep him out 2-6 weeks (Tim Baines, Ottawa Sun).

– Before signing with the Argos, DB Mitchell White reached out to his former team — but the REDBLACKS decided cap space and current strength at the position prevented a reunion (Tim Baines, Ottawa Sun).

MONTREAL ALOUETTES

Als GM Kavis Reed will also coach the team following the dismissal of Jacques Chapdelaine (Montreal Alouettes)

– For the third straight season, the Als have made a mid-season coaching change, this time swapping Jacques Chapdelaine for Kavis Reed (CFL.ca).

– For Davis Sanchez, the coaching changeup in Montreal was a necessary risk by Als GM Kavis Reed (Davis Sanchez, CFL.ca).

– Alouettes defensive end John Bowman reportedly suffered a fractured hand in last week’s loss to BC (Herb Zurkowsky, Montreal Gazette).

– According to TSN’s John Lu, Bowman will play with a partial cast on his hand (John Lu, TSN).

– While the Als and Rich Stubler have been linked by speculation, Justin Dunk is reporting that Stubler is not currently in Montreal (Justin Dunk, 3 Down Nation).