Arthur Ward/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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Edmonton at Hamilton
Thursday | 7:30 p.m. ET
Jalen Saunders, WR, HAM
The bye week appears to have benefited Jalen Saunders ($7,356), who’s slated to start Thursday’s game after being injured in Week 9. The CFL’s fifth-leading receiver in yards should get plenty of opportunities in what could be a track meet against the Eskimos.
Terrence Toliver, WR, HAM
The Ticats list Terrence Toliver ($5,484) has the backup to Mike Jones ($2,500) at field wideout for Thursday night’s tilt with the Eskimos. Toliver has cooled off after a blistering start to the season and, with so much competition for targets, he probably isn’t a viable option in Week 11.
C.J. Gable, RB, EDM
After missing Week 10, C.J. Gable ($7,237) is a full go for Thursday night’s visit to Hamilton. Gable has been a consistent Fantasy contributor, but has yet to have his defining game in 2018 — though he should get plenty of opportunities in Week 11.
Bryant Mitchell, WR, EDM
Despite a breakout performance in Week 10 in his first start of the season, Bryant Mitchell ($4,295) is listed as a backup to Vidal Hazelton ($3,697) on the Esks’ depth chart. The Eskimos have an embarrassment of riches at the position, and while Mitchell may still see the field, he’s not worth the risk as a backup.
Vidal Hazelton, WR, EDM
Vidal Hazelton ($3,697) will make his first start since Week 1 as he gets the nod over Bryant Mitchell ($4,295) in the Eskimos’ lineup. Hazelton is talented and should be third in line for targets behind D’haquille Williams ($8,016) and Derel Walker (8,273), but is facing some stiff competition in the Ticats’ top-ranked secondary.
Shaquille Cooper, RB, EDM
With Gable back in the lineup, Shaquille Cooper ($4,000) is off the Eskimos’ active roster in Week 11. Cooper had a dominant performance vs. the Alouettes but Gable’s pass-blocking ability and veteran experience make him the preferred choice of Head Coach Jason Maas.
Toronto at Montreal
Friday | 7:30 p.m. ET
Johnny Manziel, QB, MTL
Despite reportedly doing some light work at Alouettes’ practice on Thursday, Johnny Manziel ($7,000) is not expected to play Friday vs. the Toronto Argonauts. He could be an option in Week 12, however, when the Als visit the REDBLACKS on Friday, Aug. 31.
Antonio Pipkin, QB, MTL
Antonio Pipkin ($5,000) should make his second straight start Friday night, when the Als host the Toronto Argonauts. Pipkin had 19 Fantasy points in his debut and is a dark horse value play vs. a struggling Argos secondary. His risk as a Fantasy pivot is mitigated by his ability to take off and run, while there are points to be had against the Boatmen.
Tyrell Sutton, RB, MTL
While the injury to Tyrell Sutton ($6,342) does not appear to be as serious as initially believed, the veteran running back won’t play Friday night and could miss an extended period of time. The Als are calling it a quad injury, and William Stanback ($4,000) will be the fill-in).
William Stanback, RB, MTL
William Stanback ($4,000) will make his first career start for the Als on Friday night as he fills in for the injured Tyrell Sutton ($6,342). Stanback has an impressive blend of size and speed and has teased Fantasy players with his potential. Montreal’s struggling offence is still a concern, but Stanback is more than just a dart throw vs. the Argos as a cheap RB option with high upside.
Winnipeg at Calgary
Saturday | 3:30 p.m. ET
Don Jackson, RB, CGY
According to Daniel Austin of the Calgary Herald, Don Jackson ($6,140) is trending towards a return in Week 11. We’ve heard this before and it hasn’t come to fruition, so any Fantasy players hoping to start a Calgary running back should not only check the depth chart on Friday but also keep an eye on things close to game time in the event of a late scratch.
Romar Morris, RB, CGY
Romar Morris ($3,500) could be the odd man out this weekend of Don Jackson ($6,140) is healthy and able to go. With Terry Williams ($4,580) also in the equation, Calgary’s backfield has been quite the jigsaw puzzle this season for Fantasy players.
Weston Dressler, WR, WPG
Despite being activated earlier than expected from the Bombers’ six-game injured list, Weston Dressler ($4,730) is up in the air for Week 11. If he can’t go, Ryan Lankford ($2,946) is likely to make his second consecutive start.
Ryan Lankford, WR, WPG
With Weston Dressler ($4,730) nearing a return, Ryan Lankford ($2,946) may or may not get another start vs. Calgary on Saturday. Even if he plays, he draws a tough matchup against the CFL’s top defence in Calgary.
Saskatchewan at BC
Sunday | 10:00 p.m. ET
Marcus Thigpen, RB, SSK
According to CKRM’s Rod Pedersen, Marcus Thigpen ($5,286) is questionable for Saturday’s contest vs. the BC Lions. That could open the door for newly-added Cameron Marshall, but either way, Tre Mason ($4,064) should see the bulk of the action against one of the league’s worst-ranked run defences.
Caleb Holley, WR, SSK
The Riders are expected to be without Caleb Holley ($2,915) for the foreseeable future after he suffered an injury in Week 10 vs. Calgary. The team has since signed Kenny Shaw, but the former REDBLACK and Argo isn’t expected to be ready for Week 11 quite yet.
Ricky Collins, WR, BC
As per CFL.ca’s Jim Morris, Ricky Collins ($3,975) will return to the Lions’ lineup this week after missing Week 10’s loss to Toronto. With three or more catches in five straight games, he’s a solid value option and should see his share of targets in a matchup with Riders’ corner Nick Marshall.
Shaq Johnson, WR, BC
TSN’s Farhan Lalji reports that Shaq Johnson ($2,695) will miss Saturday’s contest vs. the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The third-year Canadian has been in and out of the lineup lately, and his absence makes Ricky Collins ($3,975) and Kevin Elliott ($3,683) worth considering vs. the Riders.
