Checking Down: The latest on Brandon Banks, Duron Carter and more

 

TORONTO — One more time for those in the back? Okay, Johnny Manziel is starting for the Alouettes in Week 8 against his former team, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Zach Collaros has returned to practice with the Roughriders after being on the six-game injured list. Will he be starting? And if so, will he be having Duron Carter as a target this week?

Meanwhile, in Hamilton, early signs this week showed Toliver and Tasker both practicing after missing last week with injuries, but what’s the status of Brandon Banks?

All this and more in the latest from Checking Down:

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

BC LIONS

After starting off on what was on pace for career-high numbers, Brandon Rutley suffered a torn ACL in the Lions game against the REDBLACKS. (The Canadian Press)

Lions’ running back Jeremiah Johnson makes his return to the BC backfield at practice, sending Travon Van to the 1-game injured list (Lowell Ullrich, TSN 1040).

Brandon Rutley gets placed on the six-game injury list after suffering a torn ACL against the REDBLACKS. The Lions’ running back was on pace for career-high numbers prior to the injury. (Lowell Ullrich, TSN 1040)

– 30-year old Marcell Young gets released by the Lions on Saturday as their bye week wraps up (Lowell Ullrich, TSN 1040)

 

EDMONTON ESKIMOS

 

Edmonton releases national receiver and former Ticat Giovanni Aprile, who hadn’t seen any playing time this season (Dave Campbell, CHED)

Eskimos place offensive lineman Justin Sorensen on the six-game injured list, leaving a line that’s only given up three quarterback sacks in five games (Dave Campbell, CHED).

– Defensive back Mercy Maston makes first start for the Eskimos since rupturing his Achilles last season during warmup of the Labour Day rematch vs. Calgary (Dave Campbell, CHED). 

 

CALGARY STAMPEDERS

Don Jackson and Terry Williams have both been trying to harbour their injuries as they try to prepare themselves for the Stamps Week 8 meeting with the Lions. (Johany Jutras, CFL.ca)

– Offensive lineman Randy Richards is back practising with the Stamps, however, he remains listed on Calgary’s six-game injury list (Danny Austin, Calgary Sun).

– Stamps practice with a beat up offensive backfield as Don Jackson and Terry Williams rehab injuries in hope of playing against the Lions in Week 8 (Todd Saelhof, Calgary Sun).

SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS

 

Zach Collaros was activated to the active roster after being on the six-game injury list. Practiced with the team on Monday. (Claire Hanna, CTV Regina)

Riders list Duron Carter as a starting slot receiver while Nick Marshall gets the nod on defence, filling his original spot being filled by Carter while out on injury. (Murray McCormick, Regina Leader-Post)

– Defensive back Nick Marshall returned to practice this week after being injured since the preseason with a broken finger (Murray McCormick, Regina Leader-Post)

– After being released by the Lions, the Riders pick up veteran defensive back Marcell Young as Saskatchewan works to rekindle a spotty secondary (Justin Dunk, 3 Down Nation)

Duron Carter could be making the move back to the offensive side of the ball, which might be the spark the Riders are looking for after ranking last in the league when it comes to the passing game.

WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS

Former CFL All-Star Bryant Turner Jr. signed a one-day contract in order to retire as a member of the Blue Bombers. (The Canadian Press)

Andrew Harris gets named a Shaw CFL Top Performer for the month of July after posting three consecutive games in which he rushed for over 100 yards on the ground (CFL Staff)

– Defensive lineman Bryant Turner Jr. signs a one-day contract with Winnipeg, retiring as a member of the Blue Bombers after an eight-year career in the CFL (Darrin Bauming, TSN 1290

HAMILTON TIGER-CATS

 

Brandon Banks did not practice with the Ticats on Monday, instead, he was seen wearing a knee brace on his left leg (Drew Edwards, 3 Down Nation)

Speedy B returns to practice on Wednesday after missing the first two days this week with a suspected knee injury (Louis Butko, TSN 1150)

Alex Green, who is due to come off of the six-game injury list, looks to be potentially taking over from John White at running back (Drew Edwards, 3 Down Nation)

– Both Luke Tasker and Terrence Toliver are likely to return to the Ticats lineup this week in time for their game against the Alouettes (Louis Butko, TSN 1150).

 

TORONTO ARGONAUTS

 

– Burlington, ON resident Ryan Bomben likely favouring the trade to Argonauts after being dealt to Montreal from Hamilton during the off-season (Herb Zurkowsky, Montreal Gazette).

– Marc Trestman announced immediately following practice on Monday that McLeod Bethel-Thompson would be getting the start in place of James Franklin at quarterback versus the REDBLACKS (Mike Hogan, Argonauts.ca).

Bear Woods gets practice reps with the Argonauts second defensive unit as he continues to try to work himself back from injury (Matthew Scianitti, TSN)

– Argos receiver SJ Green was a non-participant at practice on Monday as he momentarily had his knee wrapped with ice (Matthew Scianitti, TSN)

OTTAWA REDBLACKS

 

– Although Kyries Hebert was seen on crutches at practice this week, coach Rick Campbell says it’s simply precautionary, but unsure if he’ll be ready to play this week (Drew Warren, Ottawa Sun)

– Being one of the first ever players drafted by the Ottawa REDBLACKS, defensive lineman Connor Williams calls it a career after five seasons (CFL Staff)

– Practice roster player Seth Coate gets suspended two games for violating the leagues drug policy (3 Down Nation). 

MONTREAL ALOUETTES

 

– Alouettes announce that QB Johnny Manziel will be starting for their Week 8 matchup against his former team, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (Didier Ormejuste, RDS).

– Acquired in a trade with Toronto earlier this week, defensive back T.J. Heath was practicing with the Alouettes starting defence (Didier Ormejuste, RDS)

Landon Rice fills in at offensive guard for the recently departed Ryan Bomben, who was involved in the Heath trade with the Argos (Herb Zurkowsky, Montreal Gazette)

Adarius Bowman practiced with the Alouettes for the first time on Monday since being acquired from the Blue Bombers (Herb Zurkowsky, Montreal Gazette)

– Linebacker Nicolas Boulay practiced with the Als this week after spending the entire season on the six-game injury list (Herb Zurkowsky, Montreal Gazette)

Tommie Campbell did not practice on Wednesday as a result of a hamstring injury. Campbell has started at corner for the Als all season.