October 17, 2018

Checking Down: Long live The Duke

The Canadian Press

TORONTO — Jason Maas came out to say that D’haquille Williams is ‘fine’ earlier this week. There have been questions surrounding Williams health and whether he’s been playing through injury.

The BC Lions reportedly may start a pair of Canadian linebackers on the interior of their defensive set on Friday when they face off against the Edmonton Eskimos. This comes after Solomon Elimimian will likely still be unavailable for yet another week. The all-star linebacker has been injured since June.

It’s halfway through the month of October but CFL Draft picks have been making their way into headlines across the league. Geoff Gray has signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Dakoda Shepley appears to be on the Roughriders practice roster. The two have spent time pursuing NFL opportunities.

All this and more in the latest from Checking Down:

Jump to team:

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

BC LIONS

Chris Rainey may get the nod over Jeremiah Johnson this week as the running back behind Tyrell Sutton. (Jimmy Jeong, CFL.ca)

– It’s expected that Canadian linebackers Bo Lokombo and Jordan Herdman will be starting for the Lions on Friday. (Farhan Lalji, TSN)

– Running back Chris Rainey is looking to be dressing over Jeremiah Johnson for Friday’s tilt against the Eskimos. Rainey will back up Tyrell Sutton. (Farhan Lalji, TSN)

Solomon Elimimian is reportedly doubtful for this week’s game against Edmonton, however, he was in uniform for the first time since July at practice on Tuesday. (Lowell Ullrich, TSN 1040

EDMONTON ESKIMOS

 

Edmonton adds former first-round draft pick DL Evan Gill to their practice roster. The team released WR Torrance Gibson. (Dave Campbell, CHED)

Mike Reilly and Bryant Mitchell were both named Top Performers for Week 18 after their win over the Ottawa REDBLACKS. Mitchell hauled in 13 receptions for 190 yards and a score. Meanwhile, Reilly finished the game with 369 passing yards. (CFL Staff)

– Following HC Jason Maas stating ‘The Duke is fine’, receiver D’haquille Williams practices with the team on Tuesday. (Morley Scott, CHED

CALGARY STAMPEDERS

 

– Despite the injuries plaguing their receiving corps, Calgary has been boasting an ‘all-star’ group at practice this week with Eric Rogers, Chris Matthews and Bakari Grant snagging passes ahead of Saturday’s game against Saskatchewan. (Todd Saelhof, Calgary Sun)

– Veteran receiver Bakari Grant signs with the Stampeders after spending the majority of the season as a free agent after being a final cut by Saskatchewan during training camp. (Justin Dunk, 3 Down Nation

SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS

Dariusz Bladek will be out for the remainder of the season after tearing his MCL last weekend against the Blue Bombers. (Johany Jutras, CFL.ca)

Saskatchewan adds 2018 first-round draft pick Dakoda Shepley to their practice roster but unlikely he’ll sign a contract for 2018 as he continues to pursue NFL opportunities. (Justin Dunk, 3 Down Nation)

– Saskatchewan’s defensive end Charleston Hughes has been reportedly charged with impaired driving. (Arielle Zerr, CJME)

– Chris Jones reports that Mic’hael Brooks will be done for the season with an undisclosed injury. Dan Clark will miss an extended period of time and Matt Elam will likely be out for Saturday’s game against Calgary. (Ian Hamilton, Riderville.com)

Dariusz Bladek suffers a torn MCL in Riders 31-0 loss to Winnipeg last weekend. An injury of this nature has a 4-12 week recovery timeline. (Justin Dunk, 3 Down Nation 

WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS

 

– After racking up three quarterback sacks, Adam Bighill earned himself Top Performer honours after the Blue Bombers shutout the Roughriders in Week 18. (CFL Staff)

Winnipeg inks their 2017 first-round draft pick in Geoff Gray after spending some time in the NFL. Despite signing, Gray will still have the opportunity to explore the NFL this winter. (Darrin Bauming, TSN 1290

HAMILTON TIGER-CATS

Hamilton’s June Jones says Alex Green has been looking healthy this week. Whether or not he’ll be available for their game against Ottawa this week has yet to be determined. (The Canadian Press)

– Ticats’ June Jones believes rookie-receiver Justin Buren will continue to get ‘better and better’ with more reps after making his debut last week in Toronto. (Ticats Staff)

– HC June Jones reports that Alex Green is looking ‘fine and healthy’ so far this week at practice. (Ticats Staff

TORONTO ARGONAUTS

The Double Blue bring in veteran running back Travon Van. (Johany Jutras, CFL.ca)

Toronto brings in running back Travon Van, along with WR Austin Duke and DB Caleb Ham. (Justin Dunk, 3 Down Nation)

– Former CFL QB Tracy Ham’s son, Caleb, signs with the Argonauts. Tracy spent the 1993 season as a member of the Argos. (Mike Hogan, Argonauts.ca)  

OTTAWA REDBLACKS

Avery Williams was not at practice on Tuesday after being injured in Saturday’s game against Edmonton. HC Rick Campbell says he was set to have another test done later on Tuesday and is expecting to have the linebacker return ‘sooner rather than later’. (Tim Baines, Ottawa Sun)  

 

MONTREAL ALOUETTES

Questions surround the availability of veteran Luc Brodeur-Jourdain after he was not at practice on Monday. (Johany Jutras, CFL.ca)

Glenn Love replaces the recently departed Chris Ackie in the Alouettes starting defence. (Didier Ormejuste, RDS)

Luc Brodeur-Jourdain did not practice on Monday with an apparent foot injury. (Didier Ormejuste, RDS)