Johany Jutras/CFL.ca
TSN CFL Fantasy presented by LeoVegas is easy 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, an empty slot 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.
PLAY CFL TSN FANTASY
» Sign up and set your lineup for Week 18!
» Lineup tools powered by DailyRoto
» Make your predictions with Total CFL Pick ‘Em
Ottawa at Toronto
Friday | 7:00 p.m. ET
Mossis Madu, RB, OTT
The REDBLACKS will sit Mossis Madu ($6,351) this week in favour of Canadian running backs Brendan Gillanders ($2,500) and Greg Morris ($2,500).
Dominique Davis, QB, OTT
Rick Campbell has ruled out Dominique Davis ($5,440) for Friday’s game vs. Toronto. Will Arndt ($5,000) will make his first career start while Jonathon Jennings ($4,922) will be the backup.
Will Arndt, QB, OTT
Will Arndt ($5,000) will make his first professional start on Friday vs. the Argos. He’s a risky Fantasy play, but there’s potential upside against an Argos defence that ranks last in the CFL in most major categories.
John Crockett, QB, OTT
The REDBLACKS will have to wait at least one more week for John Crockett ($4,931) to return to the lineup. He has been sidelined since Week 11 when he was injured vs. Saskatchewan.
Jonathon Jennings, QB, OTT
Jonathon Jennings ($4,922) will serve as the backup to Will Arndt ($5,000) in Week 18. Jennings completed seven of eight passing attempts vs. Edmonton, but has struggled through most of his time with the REDBLACKS in 2019.
DeVonte Dedmon, WR, OTT
DeVonte Dedmon ($3,051) is inching towards a return, according to Tim Baines, though it won’t happen this week. Ottawa’s return specialist has also started games on offence and could be a big part of the team’s plans in 2020.
Rafael Araujo-Lopes, WR, OTT
Rafael Araujo-Lopes ($2,500) will be the REDBLACKS’ primary returner this week. Lopes had six catches for 57 yards in his only game this season before being injured, but he’ll be a backup to Caleb Holley on Friday.
Greg Morris, RB, OTT
Greg Morris ($2,500) could factor into the REDBLACKS’ backfield this week in a time share with Brendan Gillanders ($2,500). The split carries wouldn’t be idea, but at such a low salary it’s a risk Fantasy players may have to consider.
McLeod Bethel-Thompson, QB, TOR
McLeod Bethel-Thompson ($8,353) is back as the Argos’ starting quarterback this week. The second-year Argo has had the most success of any Toronto quarterback this season.
James Franklin, QB, TOR
James Franklin ($4,905) has been demoted from his starting role as McLeod Bethel-Thompson ($8,353) takes over the No. 1 job for the Argos. Franklin has mostly struggled in his second season with the Argos.
Saskatchewan at Calgary
Friday | 9:30 p.m. ET
Josh Huff, WR, CGY
Josh Huff ($3,565) has likely cemented his role as a starting receiver for the Stamps. After some early struggles, Huff came through with a nine-catch, 149-yard performance, tying a team-high with 12 targets. He’s a value pick on Friday vs. the Riders.
Jordan Williams-Lambert, WR, SSK
There’s no word yet on how the Riders will deploy Jordan Williams-Lambert ($4,682) moving forward. The sophomore caught just one pass in his 2019 debut last week, starting in the field wideout position.
Montreal at Winnipeg
Saturday | 4:00 p.m. ET
William Stanback, RB, MTL
Als running back William Stanback ($7,275) has been placed on the one-game injured list, sidelining him for Saturday’s game vs. Winnipeg. Jeremiah Johnson ($5,595) will start in his place.
Chris Matthews, WR, MTL
Alouettes receiver Chris Matthews ($3,290) will remain out of the Alouettes’ lineup in Week 18. The Als have a lot of receiver depth, though Matthews’ time will surely come sooner or later.
Darvin Adams, WR, WPG
Despite missing practices this week, Darvin Adams ($6,852) will start for the Bombers vs. Montreal. Adams is starting to show some chemistry with Chris Streveler following an eight-catch, 109-yard effort vs. Saskatchewan.
Drew Wolitarsky, WR, WPG
Injured Bombers receiver Drew Wolitarsky ($3,002) was back at practice on Tuesday, according to Ed Tait. He should be good to return after missing last weekend’s game in Regina.
BC at Edmonton
Saturday | 7:00 p.m. ET
C.J. Gable, RB, EDM
Running back C.J. Gable ($7,739) will miss Saturday’s game after being injured last week vs. Hamilton. Gable was close to notching his second straight 1,000-yard rushing season, but now it’ll have to wait. Shaq Cooper ($4,807) is the next man up.
Shaq Cooper, RB, EDM
Eskimos running back Shaq Cooper ($4,807) is slated to start in place of C.J. Gable ($7,739) on Saturday. Cooper rushed for 128 yards in his only start earlier this season, though it was against the Argos who rank last in the CFL in run defence. He’ll be available in Fantasy on Friday when he’s added to the active roster.
Greg Ellingson, WR, EDM
Greg Ellingson ($6,821) will start Saturday vs. the BC Lions. There was some concern over the receiver’s status after missing practice time, but he’s on the depth chart and ready to play.
Tevaun Smith, WR, EDM
National receiver Tevaun Smith ($4,085) is out of the lineup for Saturday’s game. He’ll be replaced in the lineup by Christion Jones ($3,625).
