July 25, 2018

Checking Down: The latest on Chris Williams, Luke Tasker and more

The Canadian Press

TORONTO — The buzz around the league has been surrounding Montreal’s acquisition of Johnny Manziel from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, however, the team announced Wednesday that it will be Vernon Adams Jr. getting the nod at QB Thursday versus the Eskimos.

Also, Ottawa’s Trevor Harris is believed to have taken a day off practice this week, giving Dominique Davis first-team reps.

Meanwhile, in Hamilton, will Chris Wiliams play on Saturday? And what’s the latest from Luke Tasker?

All this and more in the latest from Checking Down:

Jump to team:

BC | Calgary | Edmonton | Saskatchewan | Winnipeg | Hamilton | Toronto | Ottawa | Montreal

BC LIONS

The bringing in of Shawn Lemon is reportedly intended to push defensive production as the Lions have struggled to get at opposing QBs. (Johany Jutras, CFL.ca)

Addition of Shawn Lemon aimed to push Odell Willis and Gabe Knapton as Lions’ defence struggles to get to the QB (Lowell Ullrich, 3 Down Nation)

BC gets DL Shawn Lemon from the Toronto Argonauts in exchange for a player from the Lions’ negotiations list (Brian Helberg, BCLions.com).

The return of Travis Lulay has certainly boosted the Lions following the first quarter of the season (Matt Baker, BCLions.com)

EDMONTON ESKIMOS

 

Kwaku Boateng will return to the Eskimos’ lineup ahead of team’s matchup in Montreal (Dave Campbell, CHED)

– The fullback position has long been an integral part of any offence in Edmonton (Esks Staff, Esks.com

– Edmonton’s Kenny Stafford is making his case, going from walk-on to bonafide starter in deep receiving corps (Dave Campbell, CHED)

CALGARY STAMPEDERS

Nik Lewis officially announced his retirement late last week after signing a one-day contract with the Stampeders. (The Canadian Press)

– Bo Levi Mitchell says his knee is improving and he’s moving around much better in practice this week (Kristen Anderson, Postmedia).

– The Stamps’ starting pivot has passed Doug Flutie on Calgary’s all-time passing yards list (George Johnson, Stampeders.com)

Calgary releases DB Devin Butler, who was in his first season but had yet to see the field. (Danny Austin, Calgary Herald).

SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS

 

Duron Carter enjoying the opportunity to improve as a defensive back. Misses the time spent on offence (Justin Dunk, 3 Down Nation)

Duron Carter has been practising with both offence and defence in Week 7 prep for Calgary (Jamie Nye, CJME)

Brandon Bridge’s confidence is growing with more reps at QB (Ian Hamilton, Riderville.com).

WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS

 

Adarius Bowman traded away to the Montreal Alouettes for a conditional draft pick (Ed Tait, BlueBombers.com)

Winnipeg adds Canadian linebacker Frederic Plesius and international receiver Brisly Estime to their roster (Blue Bombers Staff, BlueBombers.com)

Kenbrell Thompkins was practising with the starting offence following the departure of Adarius Bowman (Darrin Bauming, TSN 1290

HAMILTON TIGER-CATS

– Luke Tasker remains questionable for this week after missing practice on Monday and Tuesday (Drew Edwards, 3 Down Nation).

– While Alex Green is back on the practice field, it’s expected he’ll have to wait another week to make his return to the Ticats’ lineup (Louis Butko, TSN 1150).

No ill will as Chris Williams returns to Hamilton following the Johnny Manziel trade (Drew Edwards, 3 Down Nation).

– Coach June Jones says Bryant Moniz is on his way back to Hamilton after being cut from the roster following training camp (Drew Edwards, 3 Down Nation)

TORONTO ARGONAUTS

Marc Trestman finds himself and the Argos in a tough situation after starting the season with a 1-4 record. (The Canadian Press)

– Running backs James Wilder Jr. and Dexter McCluster both leave practice with apparent lower-body injuries (Matthew Scianitti, TSN)

Argos are facing a tough test early on in the season with a 1-4 start (Mike Hogan, Argonauts.ca)

Argos add former NFL DB Marcus Robertson Jr. to the team’s practice roster (Argonauts Staff, Argonauts.ca).

OTTAWA REDBLACKS

 

REDBLACKS readying for a matchup at Tim Hortons Field against the Ticats (Tim Baines, Ottawa Sun)

– Presumed to be a rest day for Trevor Harris as Dominique Davis takes first-team reps at practice on Tuesday (Tim Baines, Ottawa Sun)

MONTREAL ALOUETTES

 

Vernon Adams expected to start at QB for Als’ against Edmonton on Thursday (Herb Zurkowsky, Montreal Gazette)

Manziel listed as the third quarterback on the depth chart for Thursday’s game against Edmonton (John Lu, TSN)

Montreal acquires QB Johnny Manziel and two linemen from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in exchange for REC Chris Williams and DL Jamaal Westerman (Dave Naylor, TSN)

Commissioner Randy Ambrosie attends Alouettes practice (Chris O’Leary, CFL.ca)