May 24, 2018

Als officially sign Canadian guard Fabien

David Chidley/CFL.ca

MONTREAL — The Montreal Alouettes have officially signed national offensive guard Kirby Fabien, the team announced late Thursday night.

The move comes after it was reported Ryan Bomben could be sidelined the next couple of weeks, making him questionable for the Als’ Week 1 season-opener in BC.

A first-round, seventh-overall pick in 2012 by BC, Fabien would give the Als more inside depth on an O-line that appears to be starting four Canadians.

The Als also announced Thursday they have signed international offensive lineman Mitchell Bell.

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Fabien, still just 27, was considered an intriguing free agent when his contract expired with the BC Lions on Feb. 13. But the sixth-year veteran didn’t sign anywhere, leaving him available come training camp.

A 6-foot-6, 305-pound native of Calgary, Fabien started 17 of the 18 games he played in last year with the Lions, and hasn’t missed a game since his rookie season in 2013.

Sean Jamieson is expected to compete for a starting role with the Als, while the injured Philippe Gagnon should factor in some time down the road. Philip Blake, it is believed, will move to right tackle while Xavier Fulton takes over the left tackle position vacated by the recently-released Jovan Olafioye.