The Canadian Press
TORONTO — While the Stamps get some big names back in their lineup, Chad Owens’ 2017 debut may have to wait.
Plus, despite being eliminated from playoff contention for the third straight season, it appears the Als will stick with Kavis Reed as their GM in 2018.
Finally, Matt Nichols appears to be a go for the Bombers, but what about Darvin Adams?
More in this week’s Checking Down:
Jump to team:
| BC | Calgary | Edmonton | Saskatchewan | Winnipeg | Hamilton | Toronto | Ottawa | Montreal |
BC LIONS
Micah Awe and the Lions need to finish strong in order to have a shot at the playoffs this year (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
– If neither talent nor hard work are the issue in BC, what’s holding back the Lions? Lowell Ullrich weighs in (Lowell Ullrich, 3 Down Nation).
– Wally Buono says the Lions are a much better football team than they’ve shown — only now they have to prove it (BCLions.com).
– Former Lions linebacker Adam Bighill will be activated by the NFL’s New Orleans Saints for this weekend’s game against Detroit (TSN.ca).
EDMONTON ESKIMOS
Eskimos receiver Vidal Hazelton was back at practice for the Esks on Thursday (The Canadian Press)
– Several injured Eskimos have returned to practice, including Arjen Colquhoun, Josh Woodman, Vidal Hazelton, Brandyn Thompson and Korey Jones (Morley Scott, CHED).
– The Eskimos have signed former Alouettes fifth round pick and linebacker Bryn Roy, the team has announced.
CALGARY STAMPEDERS
Kamar Jorden is expected to make his long-awaited return this week in Hamilton (The Canadian Press)
– After flirting with the all-time single-season wins record last year, the Stamps have another opportunity in 2017 — but once again they aren’t dwelling on the number 16 (Daniel Austin, Calgary Sun).
– Jerome Messam is slated to start for the Stamps this week, while DaVaris Daniels and Kamar Jorden will travel with the team and are listed on the depth chart (Daniel Austin, Calgary Herald).
– Terry Williams will handle returns for the Stamps, with Roy Finch sitting out due to an ankle injury (Daniel Austin, Calgary Herald).
SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS
The wait could be over for Chad Owens to make his Roughriders debut in Week 17 (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
– Despite earlier reports, Chad Owens will have to wait at least another week to make his 2017 debut (Jamie Nye, CFL.ca).
– The Riders will be without two defensive regulars vs. Ottawa, as CB Kacey Rodgers and LB Sam Eguavoen both sit due to injury (Rod Pedersen, CKRM).
– Is Chris Jones the leading candidate for coach of the year? Rob Vanstone believes the Riders’ coach should be in the running come November (Rob Vanstone, Regina Leader-Post).
– After his comeback win over the Argos, Brandon Bridge is proving he’s the quarterback of the future (Matthew Cauz, CFL.ca).
– Cameron Marshall returned to Riders practice this week and is eligible to return in Week 18 (Jamie Nye, CFL.ca).
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
Darvin Adams’ status could be questionable after leaving practice on Thursday (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
– While Justin Medlock has been passed by Rene Paredes as the CFL’s all-time most accurate kicker, the second-year Bomber thinks the two are in a different weight class (Paul Friesen, Winnipeg Sun).
– Darvin Adams left practice early on Thursday for the Bombers while Timothy Flanders has been sidelined throughout the week (Bob Irving, CJOB).
– Matt Nichols is expected to start and will wear a modified glove on his injured throwing hand (Darrin Bauming, TSN 1290).
– Andrew Harris is on pace to shatter the single-season receptions record for a running back, the mark of 102 set by Craig Ellis in 1985 (PostMedia Network).
HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
June Jones and the Ticats have stayed alive in the playoff race thanks to a 4-2 run (The Canadian Press)
– After upsetting Winnipeg, the Ticats have improved their playoff odds dramatically going into Week 17 (CFL.ca).
– With the deadline come and gone and Zach Collaros still on the roster, the Ticats have indicated they aren’t done with their backup QB just yet (CFL.ca).
– While the Ticats hang onto Collaros, the team’s playoff fate this season is tied closely with the continued development of Jeremiah Masoli (Steve Milton, 3 Down Nation).
TORONTO ARGONAUTS
After his sudden absence last week, Bear Woods expects to return this week (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
– Chris Van Zeyl will be back to protect Ricky Ray this week, but the Argos are expected to be without running back James Wilder Jr. in Week 17 (Frank Zicarelli, Toronto Sun).
– After missing Week 16 due to chest pains, Bear Woods says he expects to play Saturday in Edmonton (Frank Zicarelli, Toronto Sun).
– Will Ricky Ray be an Argo in 2018? According to Gerry Moddejonge, Ray hasn’t yet been offered a contract by the Argos, meaning his future could be up in the air (Gerry Moddejonge, Edmonton Journal).
OTTAWA REDBLACKS
Sherrod Baltimore has emerged as one of the REDBLACKS’ top defensive players (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
– REDBLACKS receiver Brad Sinopoli could be in danger of missing the team’s Friday night clash with the Riders (Tim Baines, Ottawa Citizen).
– After showing up in camp as a sponge, rookie Sherrod Baltimore has emerged as one of the REDBLACKS’ best defenders (Tim Baines, Ottawa Citizen).
– Trevor Harris believes the REDBLACKS have played well enough to win every game but one this season — the difference, he adds, is whether they can finish in the fourth (Tim Baines, Ottawa Citizen).
– While injuries have hit hard on the REDBLACKS’ O-line, they’ve also displayed the team’s impressive depth at the position (Tim Baines, Ottawa Citizen).
MONTREAL ALOUETTES
According to reports, Kavis Reed will return as the Als’ GM next season (Montreal Alouettes)
– According to the Montreal Gazette, all arrows point to Alouettes GM Kavis Reed returning to his post in 2018 (Herb Zurkowsky, Montreal Gazette).
– With their post-season aspirations officially sidelined, the Alouettes look to improve over the final few weeks of 2017 (Herb Zurwkosky, Montreal Gazette).
