Johany Jutras/CFL.ca
Good health has found Jonathon Jennings, yet it has escaped the grasp of William Powell and Brandon Zylstra as Week 8 begins on Thursday. Jennings, Powell and Zylstra are just three of the players whose health (or lack thereof) will impact Fantasy fortunes throughout the league.
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Edmonton at Ottawa
Thursday | 7:30 p.m. ET
With injuries to their receiving corps, look for Vidal Hazelton to be a go-to option for Mike Reilly this week (CFL.ca)
The already banged and bruised Eskimos added Zylstra ($4,614) to their crowded injured list, putting him on the one-game IL on Wednesday. Edmonton also added Shamawd Chambers ($2,500) off the six-game injured list as he moves immediately into the starting lineup. D’haquille Williams ($2,500), who missed last week’s game with an injury, was added to the 46-man roster, but is listed on the depth chart behind Chris Getzlaf ($2,500) and Kenny Stafford ($2,512). Vidal Hazelton ($5,492) is the Fantasy winner as he comes into the game with a three-game streak of majors and faces the eighth-ranked REDBLACKS pass defence.
Mossis Madu ($6,941) gets the start at running back in place of Powell ($5,695), who was placed on the one-game IL with a lower body injury. Madu has strong RB1 appeal as he gets to face an Eskimos run defence that allows a league-high 5.5 yards per carry. Receiver Kenny Shaw ($4,320) is making progress, but is perhaps at least another week or two from returning off the injured list, where he has been for most of the season.
Toronto at Montreal
Friday | 7:30 p.m. ET
Will Jeff Mathews start under centre for the Argonauts this week? (Johany Jutras/Argonauts.ca)
The Argonauts put pivot Ricky Ray ($9,486) on the one-game IL on Wednesday as the league leader in passing yards was not able to make progress on his injured shoulder. While coach Marc Trestman did not name a starter, it bears noting that Jeff Mathews ($5,000) got the bulk of the snaps over Cody Fajardo ($5,000) in Wednesday’s practice session. While Fajardo replaced Ray in the fourth quarter of last week’s loss against Calgary, Mathews might be more suited for Trestman’s offence than Fajardo, who will – at the very least – remain the Argos’ short-yardage pivot. Either way, the passing numbers will be down, but S.J. Green ($5,527) should still be a good play as he makes his return to the place where he was an All-Star receiver and Grey Cup champion during his 10 years with the Als.
Running back Tyrell Sutton ($6,716) is back in the Montreal lineup after missing the last two games with a calf injury, injecting more life into the league’s top rushing attack in yards per game, yards per carry and most 20-plus yard runs. Sutton makes for a good RB1, especially with Darian Durant ($9,582) now capable of making the passing game work following his hot hand of 800 passing yards and four majors in his last two games before last week’s open date. Receiver Tiquan Underwood ($3,559) returned to practice this week and might be able to make his return after missing the Alouettes’ previous game against the Blue Bombers with an ankle injury. If he doesn’t, Eugene Lewis ($2,500) will get his second start.
Winnipeg at Hamilton
Saturday | 7:30 p.m. ET
Ryan Lankford will continue to slot into the lineup this week with the injury to Weston Dressler (CFL.ca)
With Weston Dressler ($5,480) on the six-game IL, Ryan Lankford ($4,365) will get another start. Lankford caught a 79-yard touchdown pass on the Blue Bombers’ first play from scrimmage in last week’s win over Ottawa but had just one other catch on four total targets. He will also garner production via kickoff returns, but is a riskier play. Receiver T.J. Thorpe ($2,500) missed practice on Tuesday, but will be a strong bet to continue his solid run of play, having caught 20 passes in his first three games since being added off the practice roster.
The winless Tiger-Cats are expected to bring rookie quarterback Everett Golson off the six-game injured list. Golson won’t have any Fantasy value, but while the offence has struggled for much of the season, the skill position players have been able to avoid the injury bug over the past couple of weeks.
BC at Saskatchewan
Sunday | 8:00 p.m. ET
After missing three games, signs are pointing to Jonathon Jennings returning to the lineup this week (Dave Chidley/CFL.ca)
While coach Wally Buono has yet to decide, all signs are pointing toward Jennings ($9,712) returning to the lineup for the first time since injuring his shoulder on the first play of the Week 4 win over Hamilton. Jennings had been a disappointment for Fantasy players prior to his departure, managing a combined 46.8 Fantasy points while producing just two touchdown passes. The chance to take deep shots downfield to Chris Williams ($6,460) might perk up those totals, but Jennings should be considered a bit of a risk. Travis Lulay ($11,195) returns to the bench unless Buono delivers a surprise. Receiver Bryan Burnham ($5,649) had an issue with his toe during the week, but should be expected to play without any serious concerns. Receiver Emmanuel Arceneaux ($6,257) continues to battle an assortment of injuries, but, like Burnham, is expected to be in the starting lineup.
Roughriders receiver Chad Owens ($5,261) is eligible to come off the six-game injured list, but he is most likely expected to make his in-season debut in a couple of weeks.
