BlueBombers.com
TSN CFL Fantasy presented by LeoVegas is easy for any fan to play, with just seven roster spots and a $40,000 salary cap.
However, success requires a knowledge of which star players are sitting due to injury. With such small rosters, a wasted position can be a devastating blow to your week’s score.
In addition, 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 | 7:00 p.m. ET
Emmanuel Arceneaux, WR, SSK
Veteran receiver Emmanuel Arceneaux ($5,738) will not suit up for the Riders in Week 1, the team has revealed. No surprise here, as ‘the Manny Show’ is coming off season-ending surgery last September and there’s no reason to rush him back into the lineup — though the door is open for him to return soon.
Patrick Lavoie, WR, SSK
The Riders have added Patrick Lavoie ($2,500) to the six-game injured list. It’s a tough loss for the team on the field, but from a Fantasy perspective there wasn’t much upside here to begin with.
Luke Tasker, WR, HAM
Ticats receiver Luke Tasker ($8,886) says he feels good going into Thursday’s season-opener against Saskatchewan. Tasker battled a foot injury in camp and was even spotted in a walking boot, but caught four passes in the pre-season finale and is listed on the team’s starting depth chart. No concerns here.
Cameron Marshall, RB, HAM
The Ticats have added Cameron Marshall ($5,275) to the six-game injured list, the team revealed on Wednesday. Marshall was viewed as the lead back coming into the season, and his absence could open up an opportunity for Sean Thomas-Erlington ($3,000) to get the Lion’s share of the load.
Sean Thomas-Erlington, RB, HAM
With Cameron Marshall ($5,275) sidelined, Sean Thomas-Erlington ($3,000) could see significant volume in the Ticats’ season-opener Thursday night. The team will dress three Canadian running backs, and Jackson Bennett ($2,500) and Maleek Irons ($2,500) aren’t exactly seasoned veterans. Thomas-Erlington is a dual-threat who could provide value, even against a top Saskatchewan defence.
Josh Crockett, WR, HAM
After a heated camp competition, the Ticats will start American receiver Josh Crockett ($2,500) at the boundary wideout position. There are plenty of footballs to go around in this high-octane offence, but the rookie is a relative mystery and a high-risk play going into Week 1. He’ll try to hold off Jaelin Acklin ($2,500), who also looked pretty good in pre-season, for the starting job.
Montreal at Edmonton
Friday | 9:00 p.m. ET
Antonio Pipkin, QB, MTL
The Alouettes have named Antonio Pipkin ($7,050) their starting quarterback for Week 1. Pipkin was in a wide open competition throughout training camp and pre-season, but seemed to be the favourite from the get-go. Despite being a threat to run, Pipkin is considered a high-risk play for now.
Malcolm Carter, WR, MTL
It appears Malcolm Carter ($2,500) has won a starting job for the Montreal Alouettes over Felix Faubert-Lussier ($2,500). Carter has limited Fantasy appeal in Week 1 vs. the Edmonton Eskimos, though the big-bodied receiver has intriguing upside down the road.
DaVaris Daniels, WR, EDM
Eskimos receiver DaVaris Daniels ($7,164) will not play in Friday’s season-opener vs. the Montreal Alouettes after being placed on the one-game injured list. Kenny Stafford ($4,009) will move over to boundary wideout in his place, while Tevaun Smith ($2,500) will also get the start.
Ottawa at Calgary
Saturday | 7:00 p.m. ET
Richard Sindani, WR, CGY
There’s a good chance Richard Sindani ($2,500) will get a starting assignment at receiver for the Stamps in Week 1. Sindani showed promise as a rookie in 2018, and will try to hold off 2019 draft pick Hergy Mayala for a starting job as the team starts two Canadians at receiver.
Mossis Madu, RB, OTT
With John Crockett on the team’s practice roster, the REDBLACKS’ backfield belongs to veteran Mossis Madu ($5,984) in Week 1. While the matchup is far from ideal, Calgary’s front seven may not have the same bite following the losses of Alex Singleton and Micah Johnson in free agency.
Ryan Lankford, WR, OTT
It doesn’t appear Ryan Lankford ($3,839) will start at receiver for Ottawa in Week 1. Lankford could make an impact as a returner, but his true value won’t be felt until he can find the field on offence. Probably best to avoid the situation for now.
Seth Coate, WR, OTT
According to Tim Baines of the Ottawa Sun, Seth Coate ($2,500) is in line to start in Week 1 for the REDBLACKS. That would give Ottawa seven Canadian starters on the offence alone if they go with five Canadian offensive linemen. Still, Coate doesn’t figure to make a significant impact in 2019.
Caleb Holley, WR, OTT
It appears Caleb Holley ($2,500) will start for the REDBLACKS in Week 1, making him an intriguing sleeper in a difficult matchup with the Stamps. Holley showed some early chemistry with Dominique Davis ($5,221) in the pre-season and could see plenty of targets behind Brad Sinopoli ($6,921).
Winnipeg at BC
Saturday | 10:00 p.m. ET
Chris Matthews, WR, WPG
According to multiple reports, Chris Matthews ($3,500) has yet to practise this week for the Bombers. Matthews was viewed as one of the top value picks going into Week 1, but his status is suddenly up in the air. Fantasy players will have to pay close attention, as Winnipeg has the last game of the week, adding extra degree of risk.
Kenny Lawler, WR, WPG
TSN’s Darrin Bauming said this week that Kenny Lawler ($2,500) is likely in line to start for the Bombers in Week 1 at receiver. There’s sneaky potential here, and if Chris Matthews ($3,500) can’t play Lawler suddenly becomes an intriguing sleeper pick in Week 1.
Lucky Whitehead, WR, WPG
Pre-season standout Lucky Whitehead ($2,500) is expected to return kicks for the Bombers in Week 1, but could also see time as a receiver if Chris Matthews ($3,500) can’t go. A starting role on offence would make Whitehead difficult to avoid given his explosive ability on multiple sides of the football.
