Greg Ellingson tries to shake a tackle during the Eskimos' Week 7 tilt against the Argonauts. (The Canadian Press)
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 does require a healthy team, with all seven players in active CFL lineups. 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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Winnipeg at Toronto
Thursday | 7:00 p.m. ET
James Wilder Jr., RB, TOR
Argos head coach Corey Chamblin says RB James Wilder Jr. ($9,512) will miss a second consecutive game. The indication is that Wilder pushed to return this week, but the team will play it safe with a Week 9 bye on the horizon.
Armanti Edwards, WR, TOR
It appears Armanti Edwards ($7,883) will return from injury this week to face the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Edwards has been one of the most targeted Argos this season, and his presence was clearly missed last week in Edmonton.
McLeod Bethel-Thompson, QB, TOR
There won’t be a quarterback change for the Argos this week, as McLeod Bethel-Thompson ($5,760) remains behind centre. Bethel-Thompson was pulled twice during a shutout loss to Edmonton, however, and there could be a rotation this week, so Fantasy users should tread carefully.
Dakota Prukop, QB, TOR
After throwing his first CFL passes in Week 7, Dakota Prukop ($5,000) could see the field vs. Winnipeg, though McLeod Bethel-Thompson ($5,760) will start. Prukop has upside as a dual-threat quarterback, but won’t have much Fantasy use as a backup.
Branden Burks, RB, TOR
With Wilder sidelined, Branden Burks ($2,640) gets the nod at running back for the second straight week. Despite being under-utilized in a shutout loss to the Eskimos, Burks offers upside as a low-cost running back even with the tough matchup against Winnipeg.
Chandler Worthy, WR, TOR
After filling in for Edwards last week, Chandler Worthy ($2,500) is out of the Argos’ lineup in Week 8. Worthy had a minimal Fantasy impact vs. the Eskimos.
Darvin Adams, WR, WPG
Bombers top receiver Darvin Adams ($7,267) will be held out of Thursday’s contest vs. the Argos. Adams left last weekend’s loss to Hamilton with an injury and will be replaced in the lineup by Chris Matthews ($3,806).
Drew Wolitarsky, WR, WPG
Mike O’Shea says national receiver Drew Wolitarsky ($5,003) will play vs. the Argos. Wolitarsky left last week’s game with an injury and is listed as a starter on the team’s depth chart.
Chris Matthews, WR, WPG
It’s expected that Bombers receiver Chris Matthews ($3,806) will return to the lineup to take on the Argos on Thursday night. Matthews has been held to just two games in his return to Winnipeg this season.
Hamilton at Saskatchewan
Thursday | 9:30 p.m. ET
Brandon Banks, WR, HAM
The Ticats will be without Brandon Banks ($14,000) for their Thursday night matchup with the Riders. Banks is the CFL leader in receiving yards through seven weeks and has also scored twice on special teams.
Jeremiah Masoli, QB, HAM
The Ticats announced last weekend that Jeremiah Masoli ($11,549) will miss the remainder of the season after tearing his ACL. Devastating news for one of the CFL’s most exciting players, who will be replaced in the lineup by sophomore Dane Evans ($5,000).
Dane Evans, QB, HAM
With Masoli out for the season, Dane Evans ($5,000) will get the start for the Ticats on Thursday in Regina. A lot of people are excited about Evans’ potential, yet expectations will be tempered against a tough Rider defence on the road.
David Watford, QB, HAM
After signing this week, David Watford ($5,000) will be the Ticats’ third-string quarterback Thursday night vs. Saskatchewan. Watford was brought in to add more experience at the position following the injury to Jeremiah Masoli.
Ottawa at Montreal
Friday | 7:00 p.m. ET
RJ Harris, WR, OTT
According to Tim Baines, RJ Harris ($6,812) has practised with the REDBLACKS all week and has a chance to return to the team for Friday’s game vs. Montreal. Harris has missed the team’s last two games due to injury.
Dominique Davis, QB, OTT
All signs point to Dominique Davis ($6,692) starting for the REDBLACKS on Friday in Montreal. Davis has missed the last two games but has taken first-team reps in practice.
Jonathon Jennings, QB, OTT
With Davis set to return, Jonathon Jennings ($5,540) returns to his role as backup for the REDBLACKS. Once one of the CFL’s fastest rising stars, Jennings has struggled to find his former self over the last couple of seasons.
BJ Cunningham, WR, MTL
According to Didier Orméjuste, Als receiver B.J. Cunningham ($6,380) returned to practice this week with a brace on his knee. Cunningham missed the team’s most recent contest in Week 6 vs. the Eskimos.
DeVier Posey, WR, MTL
It doesn’t appear DeVier Posey ($6,295) will return to the Alouettes’ lineup in Week 8. Posey is on the Alouettes’ six-game injured list and has been held to just three games with his new team this season.
Edmonton at Calgary
Saturday | 7:00 p.m. ET
CJ Gable, RB, EDM
Eskimos running back C.J. Gable ($9,153) has returned to practice and is expected to start vs. Calgary. Gable sat out Week 7 with the Eskimos on a short week, but the running back job remains his despite a strong performance by Shaq Cooper ($5,416).
Greg Ellingson, WR, EDM
Greg Ellingson ($8,459) did not practise on Tuesday according to CHED’s Dave Campbell. It’s too early to tell whether he’s in danger of missing this week’s Battle of Alberta, but the situation needs to be monitored.
DaVaris Daniels, WR, EDM
Esks receiver DaVaris Daniels ($7,837) is practising for the Eskimos and is in line to suit up in Week 7. Daniels has tallied 85 receiving yards in two games with his new team this season.
Shaquille Cooper, RB, EDM
With Gable back at practice, Shaq Cooper ($5,416) may not be on the roster when the Eskimos take on the Stamps this weekend. Cooper was electrifying at times vs. the Argos, however, and the Esks could look to deploy him as a returner and change of pace back instead of Martese Jackson ($3,054). The depth chart will tell us more.
Don Jackson, RB, CGY
Injured Stamps running back Don Jackson ($5,998) remains on the six-game injured list and is not expected to play this weekend, according to Danny Austin of the Calgary Herald.
Ka’Deem Carey, RB, CGY
Ka’Deem Carey ($5,743) is expected to miss Week 8 after suffering a lower-leg injury in the win over Ottawa, according to Danny Austin. The injury is not believed to be serious.
Terry Williams, RB, CGY
With the injuries piling up in the Stamps’ backfield, Terry Williams ($4,911) should see plenty of work even if Romar Morris ($4,870) gets the start. Williams’ offensive and special teams contributions put him on the Fantasy radar for Week 8.
Romar Morris, RB, CGY
According to Danny Austin, Romar Morris ($4,870) is expected to get the start at running back this week for the Stamps. It’s quite a remarkable comeback for Morris, who suffered a season-ending Achilles injury just eight months ago.
