The Canadian Press
TORONTO — Will new Mosaic Stadium be the last stop on Nik Lewis’ farewell tour? Meanwhile, staying in Regina, the Riders will see an all-too-familiar face in visiting pivot Darian Durant.
Finally, what’s the latest on REDBLACKS linebacker Jerrell Gavins and injured Eskimos kicker Sean Whyte?
All that and more in this week’s Checking Down:
Jump to team:
| BC | Calgary | Edmonton | Saskatchewan | Winnipeg | Hamilton | Toronto | Ottawa | Montreal |
BC LIONS
Seven-year Lion Marco Iannuzzi says he’s retiring from professional football (The Canadian Press)
– Retiring after seven CFL seasons, Marco Iannuzzi says the physical demands are part of the reason he’s walking away (TSN 1040).
– Now out of playoff contention, the Lions will have plenty of new faces in the lineup this week including defensive lineman Luther Maddy (Farhan Lalji, TSN).
– Did high expectations get in the Lions’ way of making the playoffs this season? Wally Buono points to the psychology as one possible downfall of his team (Ed Willes, Vancouver Province).
EDMONTON ESKIMOS
– C.J. Gable and kicker Sean Whyte were both back at Esks practice on Wednesday, though there’s no word on when either might return (Morley Scott, CHED).
– Also back at practice for the Eskimos are defensive backs Chris Edwards and Neil King (Morley Scott, CHED).
– In the midst of one of his worst statistical seasons, Adarius Bowman is starting to rediscover his game for the Eskimos (Gerry Moddejonge, Edmonton Sun).
– Awards season has arrived and CHED’s Dave Campbell has made his selections for the Eskimos team awards, including Mike Reilly for MOP and Kenny Ladler for MODP (Dave Campbell, CHED).
CALGARY STAMPEDERS
– Ciante Evans was back on the field this week for the Stamps, although his status for Saturday is up in the air. Meanwhile, Cordarro Law is inching closer to returning from a broken leg (Daniel Austin, Edmonton Sun).
– Also up in the air is the status of Roy Finch, who’s practised this week after missing action since Week 15 (Daniel Austin, Edmonton Sun).
– With the division championship locked up and two games remaining, the Stamps are looking for a balance between fine-tuning and getting well-rested (Donna Spencer, The Canadian Press).
– Following Duron Carter’s pick-six (and the ensuing radio call by Rod Pedersen), Bo Levi Mitchell responded on his radio show to the thousands of tweets he received from Riders fans (3 Down Nation).
SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS
It appears that Duron Carter will get another chance to show his versatility for the Riders (Arthur Ward/CFL.ca)
– Duron Carter could play more corner for the Riders, while Cameron Marshall, Naaman Roosevelt and Sam Eguavoen will be held out of Friday’s Week 19 matchup (Jamie Nye, CFL.ca).
– Veteran receiver Chad Owens said he felt like his younger self when making his Riders debut last week, a 30-7 win over the Stampeders (Murray McCormick, Regina Leader-Post).
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
With Maurice Leggett out, Kevin Fogg moves over to SAM linebacker for the Bombers (The Canadian Press)
– The Bombers could be down two starting O-linemen this week, with Travis Bond doubtful and Jemarcus Hardrick questionable (Darrin Bauming, TSN 1290).
– With Maurice Leggett out for the season, Kevin Fogg faces the challenge of moving over to SAM linebacker (TSN 1290).
– Despite Justin Medlock’s recent struggles, Mike O’Shea isn’t showing any concern over his veteran kicker (Bob Irving, CJOB).
HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
Patience has paid off for Brandon Banks, who has four straight games of 100-plus yards (The Canadian Press)
– Finally getting the chance to prove himself as a full-time receiver, patience has paid off for Brandon Banks (The Canadian Press).
– Two former Ticats are getting a new lease on life, as they help the Eskimos pursue a Grey Cup following separate mid-season trades (Jim Morris, CFL.ca).
TORONTO ARGONAUTS
In his rookie season, James Wilder Jr. is quickly emerging as one of the CFL’s premier backs. (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
– While Andrew Harris has threatened the 1,000-1,000 mark all year, James Wilder Jr. could be a strong candidate to become the first ever to accomplish the feat in 2018 (Frank Zicarelli, Toronto Sun).
– Speaking of Wilder, has the Argos’ running back emerged as a dark horse in a conversation for Most Outstanding Rookie often dominated by the likes of Richard Leonard, Marken Michel and D’haquille Williams? (Justin Dunk, 3 Down Nation).
– The Argos’ rookie running back appeared on CFL This Week to talk about his success this season (CFL.ca).
OTTAWA REDBLACKS
Jerrell Gavins was spotted on crutches this week after being carter off the field in practice (Chris Hofley/Ottawa REDBLACKS)
– According to multiple reports, Jerrell Gavins will not play another game this season for Ottawa due to a knee injury (CFL.ca).
– With Brad Sinopoli out for a while, the REDBLACKS are set to lean on national pass-catcher Jake Harty (OttawaREDBLACKS.com).
– The 105th Grey Cup has officially been sold out, meaning Canada’s largest sporting event will kick off at TD Place in one month at full capacity (CFL.ca).
MONTREAL ALOUETTES
Despite his recent struggles, Darian Durant will be called upon in his return to Regina (Dominick Gravel/Montreal Alouettes)
– While some have called for young pivot Matthew Shiltz to make his first career start, Darian Durant will get the nod as he returns to Regina for the first time since being traded (Herb Zurkowsky, Montreal Gazette).
– The Als are hoping for a return from boundary corner Jonathon Mincy, but will be without J.C. Beaulieu and Daryl Townsend (Herb Zurkowsky, Montreal Gazette).
– While neither John Bowman nor Kavis Reed entertained the thought of a deadline deal, there was interest in the Als’ veteran pass rusher (TSN 690).
– Prolific receiver Nik Lewis has indicated that Friday’s game in Regina will likely be his last in the CFL (Herb Zurkowsky, Montreal Gazette).
