Peter McCabe
TORONTO — While Drew Tate has taken reps, Ryan Lindley is expected to make his second career start this week. Meanwhile, Drew Willy is trending towards his first start as an Alouette.
Plus, Trent Richardson isn’t the only NFL name in the news this week — while Colin Kaepernick’s name has come up, Johnny Manziel will not play in the CFL this season.
The quarterback shuffle continues as Week 15 arrives. More on that in this week’s Checking Down:
Jump to team:
| BC | Calgary | Edmonton | Saskatchewan | Winnipeg | Hamilton | Toronto | Ottawa | Montreal |
BC LIONS
Jonathon Jennings and the Lions will have to heat up soon if they hope to make the playoffs (The Canadian Press)
– A cross-division loss to the Ticats has hurt the Lions’ playoff hopes, according to the latest from the CFL Simulation (CFL.ca).
– For Lowell Ullrich, quarterback play and play-calling are only a couple of the issues the Lions face heading into their bye week (Lowell Ullrich, 3 Down Nation).
– While the play-calling has been a popular topic with the Lions’ struggling offence, Wally Buono says the issue is execution (TSN 1040).
EDMONTON ESKIMOS
– After a brief return to the field, Chris Milo has retired and returned to his duties as a scout for the Eskimos (Dave Campbell, CHED).
– With Sean Whyte still out, it’s likely that Hugh O’Neill will continue to handle punting duties while recently-added Swayze Waters will kick field goals (Dave Campbell, CHED).
CALGARY STAMPEDERS
There’s been no word yet on whether DaVaris Daniels will be available to play in Week 15 (The Canadian Press)
– Led by Micah Johnson and Charleston Hughes, the Stamps’ D-line continues to power the league’s leading defence (Rita Mingo, Calgary Sun).
– Dave Dickenson says any player on the one-game injured list, including DaVaris Daniels, could be available to play despite the short week (Stampeders.com).
SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS
– The Riders are hoping that both the injured Cameron Marshall and recently-signed Trent Richardson are available to play in two weeks vs. the Argos (Farhan Lalji, TSN).
– According to a report, receiver Caleb Holley has signed an extension with the Saskatchewan Roughriders (John Hodge, 3 Down Nation).
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
The Bombers will be without one of their top receivers this week when they visit the Esks (The Canadian Press)
– Bombers receiver Weston Dressler will miss at least a couple of weeks with an injury suffered vs. Ottawa (Bob Irving, CJOB).
– According to Justin Dunk, the Bombers have signed former Riders rookie DB Zavian Bingham (Justin Dunk, 3 Down Nation)
HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
The CFL has announced that Johnny Manziel’s contract will not be registered this season (The Associated Press)
– Ticats VP of Football Operations Kent Austin says the Ticats have no plans of trading Johnny Manziel’s rights (Dave Naylor, TSN).
– The CFL has issued a statement on Johnny Manziel, announcing that a contract will not be registered this season for the former Heisman winner (CFL.ca).
– The Ticats could have veteran receiver Andy Fantuz back in time for their most important game of the season vs. the Argos (Drew Edwards, 3 Down Nation).
– Johnny Manziel called his experience meeting with Commissioner Randy Ambrosie a positive one, in a statement provided to ESPN’S Adam Schefter (Adam Schefter, ESPN).
TORONTO ARGONAUTS
The Argos could be without their veteran tackle Chris Van Zeyl vs. the Ticats (The Canadian Press)
– The Argos could be without a key cog on their O-line this week, as Chris Van Zeyl was spotted in a walking boot on Tuesday — although he hasn’t been ruled out (Mike Ganter, Toronto Sun).
– James Wilder Jr. has been a revelation to the Argos but is not new to Jim Popp, who originally had him on the Alouettes’ negotiation list in Montreal (Dave Naylor, TSN).
– If the Argos are ever going to exorcise their Tim Hortons Field demons, this would be the time, Frank Zicarelli writes (Frank Zicarelli, Toronto Sun).
OTTAWA REDBLACKS
Ryan Lindley appears to be in line for another start on Friday vs. the Riders (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
– While Jerrell Gavins is still up in the air for Friday’s contest vs. the Riders, Nolan MacMillan and Josh Stangby are unlikely to suit up (Tim Baines, Ottawa Sun).
– It appears Juron Criner will be back at receiver for the REDBLACKS this week (Tim Baines, Ottawa Citizen).
– While Drew Tate will be available, Ryan Lindley is set to make his second career start on Friday night (AJ Jakubec, TSN 1200).
MONTREAL ALOUETTES
Darian Durant may not be able to suit up for the Als on Friday night in Calgary (Peter McCabe/CFL.ca)
– According to a report by Herb Zurkowsky, Kavis Reed has ‘kicked the tires’ on NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick (Herb Zurkowsky, Montreal Gazette).
– Reed told The Canadian Press that the conversation with Colin Kaepernick was only to let him know he’s on the team’s neg list — and nothing further (The Canadian Press).
– Drew Willy took first-team reps for the Als on Wednesday, meaning he’ll likely start at quarterback (Herb Zurkowsky, Montreal Gazette).
– Nik Lewis’ lower-body injury (believed to be hamstring and quad) is expected to sideline him two to four weeks. Both he and Jovan Olafioye will not play on Friday in Calgary (Herb Zurkowsky, Montreal Gazette).
