October 6, 2017

Week 16 Fantasy Injury Report: Harris’ return changes the landscape

The Canadian Press

Entering Week 16, the injury stories are more about who’s coming back rather than who’s sitting out. Ottawa’s post-season aspirations are bolstered by the return of field general Trevor Harris, who should breathe some life into the REDBLACKS offence, while Saskatchewan receiver Naaman Roosevelt comes back after missing last week due to a concussion.

Here’s how the first week of the final quarter of the regular season shapes up as teams put their foot on the gas for one last sprint toward the postseason.


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Hamilton at Winnipeg
Friday | 8:30 p.m ET

Demarr Aultman is out of the lineup at receiver and returner for the ‘Cats this week (The Canadian Press)

The Ticats will have a new return specialist in the wake of placing Demarr Aultman ($2,500) on the six-game injured list. Aultman is the third Hamilton receiver on the six-game IL, joining Giovanni Aprile ($2,500) and Terrance Toliver ($5,397). Hamilton now turns to Willie Quinn ($2,500), whose 5-foot-5 stature is offset by the fact he returned six kickoffs and four punts for touchdowns in his four years at Southern University. He has minimal Fantasy value this week, yet should be someone to watch during the game.

Winnipeg will be without starting receiver Julian Feoli-Guidino ($2,500), who was placed on the one-game injured list. Matt Coates ($2,500) gets the start in his place, yet has little Fantasy value. The Bombers also added depth to the receiving corps by promoting Drew Wolitarsky ($2,500) from the practice squad.

Saskatchewan at Toronto
Saturday | 4:00 p.m. ET

Naaman Roosevelt’s return boosts the Riders’ slumping offence going into Week 16 (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

Roosevelt ($6,976), sixth in the league with 929 receiving yards, was taken off the six-game IL earlier this week and should be in the starting lineup after taking a huge hit in the Week 14 loss to Calgary. Roosevelt should be at least a WR2, yet his presence will give Kevin Glenn ($9,886) an added boost after he failed to throw a touchdown for a second straight week in the win over Ottawa. Receiver Chad Owens ($5,486) practised with the team this week, yet there is no indication to whether he will make his 2017 debut after spending all season on the injured list. The addition of running back Trent Richardson ($2,500) is a subtle sign that Cameron Marshall ($6,801) may not return this season.

The Argonauts will likely keep running back Brandon Whitaker ($5,247) on the one-game injured list as James Wilder Jr. ($4,995) has a firm grip on the starting job. Receiver Jeff Fuller ($2,500) could spend his third straight game on the one-game IL, but receiver Anthony Coombs ($3,353) is eligible to come off the six-game IL after missing the last five games with an injured shoulder.

Ottawa at BC
Saturday | 7:00 p.m. ET

Trevor Harris will be healthy enough to shoulder the REDBLACKS’ offence in Week 16 (The Canadian Press)

Trevor Harris ($10,622) returns to an offence that averaged just 18.1 points in the three games he missed with a shoulder injury. The REDBLACKS attack has been short on big plays from the passing game in Harris’ absence, so his return makes receivers Greg Ellingson ($5,847) and Diontae Spencer ($6,537) more valuable. Running back William Powell ($7,894), who has three straight 100-yard games, might take a small hit to his value, but Powell will be more important in the passing game. Receiver Joshua Stangby ($3,318) remains on the six-game IL.

Injuries aren’t the biggest issue for the Lions, as running back Shaquille Murray-Lawrence ($2,500) remains on the disabled list after being involved in an automobile accident last month.

Edmonton at Montreal
Monday | 2:00 p.m. ET

Another running back injury led to the Eskimos acquiring RB C.J. Gable from Hamilton (David Chidley/CFL.ca)

The lower body injury of running back Travon Van ($5,603) in last week’s loss to Winnipeg was the final straw that led the Eskimos to trade for C.J. Gable ($6,920). With Van out indefinitely, Gable should inject some life to a running game that is last in the league with 4.4 yards per carry and in runs over 20 yards (four). The former lead back of the Tiger-Cats missed Week 14 with a shoulder injury, yet comes off a 157-yard, two-touchdown performance in last week’s loss to Toronto. Receiver Vidal Hazelton ($5,707) remains on the six-game injured list.

Alouettes pivot Drew Willy ($5,116) gets his second straight start in place of Darian Durant ($7,577), whose hamstring issues continue to limit his mobility. Running back Brandon Rutley ($5,467) was not on the depth chart for last week’s loss at Calgary and may remain off it now that Tyrell Sutton ($6,085) has put together three straight solid performances. Receiver Nik Lewis ($2,948) may miss his second straight game with a lower body injury.