July 19, 2018

Fantasy Status Report: Who’s in and who’s out for Week 6?

Johany Jutras/CFL.ca

TORONTO — The TSN CFL Fantasy game is easy for any fan to play, with just seven roster spots and a $40,000 salary cap.

However, success requires, at a bare minimum, knowledge of which star players are sitting due to injury. With such small rosters, a wasted spot on a player who isn’t in the lineup can be a devastating blow to your week’s score.

Meanwhile, the more dedicated Fantasy player will want to keep close tabs on who’s practising with the first-team offence. Practice reports can be the source of hidden gems that produce big numbers despite low ownership percentage, providing an edge over the rest of the field.

With that, CFL.ca breaks down some of the critical roster notes for each game.


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Saskatchewan at Hamilton
Thursday | 7:30 p.m. ET

Luke Tasker, REC, HAM

According to TSN’s Louis Butko, Ticats receiver Luke Tasker ($6,933) will be a game time decision against Saskatchewan Thursday night. Tasker is a big part of the Ticats’ offence, but is a risky play if he isn’t 100 per cent. If you have him in your lineup, keep an eye on Twitter before the game for updates.

John White, RB, HAM

John White ($3,706) will be the Ticats’ starting running back when they take on the Riders. White should get more action than the two carries he had last game, but is a risky play considering the unpredictability of the Ticats’ ground game, which has also involved Canadians Mercer Timmis ($3,089) and Sean Thomas-Erlington ($3,000).

Brandon Bridge, QB, SSK

The Riders have announced Brandon Bridge ($5,079) will start again at quarterback this week. While the price tag is attractive, it’s hard to trust anyone under centre for the Green and White right now as Chris Jones continues to rotate his pivots. David Watford ($5,000) has taken a lot of Bridge’s playing time thus far.

BC at Ottawa
Friday | 7:30 p.m. ET

Jeremiah Johnson, RB, BC

The Lions will be without their usual starting running back Jeremiah Johnson ($6,491) this week after he exited the Lions’ Week 5 win with an apparent ankle injury. Brandon Rutley ($4,476) is expected to take over the majority of reps in the Lions’ backfield and is a solid value pick at running back in Week 6.

Chris Rainey, RB, BC

Don’t expect Chris Rainey ($7,686) to see a vastly increased workload this week despite the absence of running back Jeremiah Johnson ($6,491). Lions head coach Wally Buono has expressed his desire to keep Rainey fresh, meaning outside of a few carries and possibly a couple of receptions, Rainey will be mostly used as a returner. He’s still a valuable Fantasy contributor due to his return skills and big-play ability.

Brandon Rutley, RB, BC

With the injury to Jeremiah Johnson ($6,491), the Lions will turn their backfield over to Brandon Rutley ($4,476). Rutley has been waiting for his opportunity and should come with fresh legs and a chip on his shoulder as he looks to prove he can be a starting running back. He’s a solid low-cost option in Week 6.

Travis Lulay, QB, BC

After 10 months of recovering from a season-ending knee injury, Travis Lulay ($6,187) made his return a triumphant one, leading the Lions back from 17 points down to a win over the Blue Bombers. Lulay is a strong value pick at the position in what could be a high-scoring game against the Ottawa REDBLACKS.

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

Dexter McCluster, WR, TOR

After signing with the Argos this week, Dexter McCluster ($2,500) practised with the team but isn’t expected to play Saturday vs. Winnipeg. McCluster could offer Fantasy intrigue down the road, especially if he’s used in a hybrid receiver/running back position like we’ve seen in the past from injured Argo Anthony Coombs.

Rodney Smith, WR, TOR

A week after making his first CFL catch, Rodney Smith ($2,500) could see an elevated role with the Argos in Week 6. Keep an eye on the depth chart when it comes out Friday, as Smith has a chance to draw into the boundary receiver spot, one that’s usually productive in Marc Trestman’s offence but has been more of a black hole so far in 2018.

Llevi Noel, WR, TOR

Llevi Noel ($2,500) was held off the stat sheet against Edmonton last week, failing to follow up an 81-yard effort the previous week. Noel is an ace special teamer and a terrific athlete and has deserved the chance to start, but his role at boundary is tenuous at this point. Keep an eye on the depth chart when it comes out, but either way Noel is a risky Fantasy play until he can become more consistently involved.

Montreal at Calgary
Saturday | 9:00 p.m. ET

Bo Levi Mitchell, QB, CGY

According to the Calgary Herald‘s Danny Austin, Bo Levi Mitchell ($8,027) has not done a lot in practice this week to suggest he’ll play on Saturday. Head Coach Dave Dickenson has said Mitchell can’t play if he doesn’t practice, which would point to Nick Arbuckle ($5,000) making his first career start vs. Montreal.

Don Jackson, RB, CGY

It appears Don Jackson ($5,697) will be good to go Saturday after returning to practice on Wednesday, according to Danny Austin of the Calgary Herald. The Stamps’ running back was considered questionable by Head Coach Dave Dickenson earlier in the week.

Terry Williams, RB, CGY

Also back at practice this week is running back and returner Terry Williams ($4,935), who missed the Stampeders’ Week 5 win over Ottawa with an injury. Williams should see consistent work in the return game and some carries on offence, making him an intriguing sleeper against the Montreal Alouettes as long as he’s healthy.

Eric Rogers, REC, CGY

According to Danny Austin, Eric Rogers ($7,415) has returned to practice this week for the Stamps. Calgary’s most dangerous offensive weapon missed last week’s game, but has a chance to return Saturday against the struggling Montreal Alouettes’ defence. Rogers could, however, be affected by the absence of Bo Levi Mitchell ($8,027), who’s on the fence this week.

Romar Morris, RB, CGY

After scoring his first career touchdown, Romar Morris ($2,500) was a solid value play in Week 5 in the absence of Terry Williams ($4,935). With Williams expected to return, there’s a good chance Morris sits on Saturday. It’s advised, at this point, to stay away.

Marken Michel, REC, CGY

Marken Michel ($4,504) appeared ready to go for the Stamps vs. Ottawa last week but was a late scratch. Getting back into a loaded receiving corps, especially with Eric Rogers ($7,415) returning, could be a difficult task for the sophomore receiver.

Drew Willy, QB, MTL

Drew Willy ($6,296) will be back behind centre for the Alouettes in Week 6 after missing one start due to a neck injury. The move also coincides with the news that Jeff Mathews ($5,852) will miss at least a month with an apparent leg injury. Willy’s price tag looks intriguing, but not in a matchup against the CFL’s best defence in Calgary, which is allowing fewer than 10 points per game in 2018.