On Thanksgiving Monday, the Montreal Alouettes will play the Ottawa Redblacks without a number of significant players, but they will also have their top offensive weapon available.
Austin Mack, a receiver, is starting again after missing last week’s game with a thigh injury. This week, the rookie CFL player who had 70 receptions for 1,057 yards and four touchdowns was third in the league.
However, there are some negative developments in Montreal’s receiving group. Kaion Julien-Grant, a Canuck, has been placed on the one-game disabled list due to a shoulder injury. The St. FX product has recorded 37 catches for 512 yards in nine games this season. As a result, veteran Jake Harty will keep getting the ball first.
The backfield won’t fare any better because William Stanback will miss this game due to illness. In 13 games this season, the 29-year-old bell-cow has rushed the ball 140 times for 752 yards and two touchdowns while also receiving 25 catches for 228 yards and one more score. Walter Fletcher, his replacement, has 268 all-purpose yards in five games.
Avery Williams, a crucial rotational player for the Alouettes, will miss one game due to a thigh injury, while Bryce Notree, a backup, will miss one game due to a shoulder injury. Zach Lindley (head), a safety and key member of the special teams, will join them, while defensive end T.D. Moultry will return to the practice roster.
Linebacker Chris Moore and defensive back Tysen Otis-Copeland will come into the lineup to bolster the depleted group even though no alterations to the starting lineup were necessary. Along with veteran Canadian defensive tackle Vincent Desjardins, veteran American defensive end Avery Ellis has also been activated.
The largest adjustment might be on special teams, as veteran Global Jose Maltos will now handle placekicking duties in place of kicker David Cote (hip), who has been placed on the one-game injured list. The 32-year-old Mexican has played in the CFL since 2018, initially as a B.C. Lions training camp cut before spending three seasons on the Redblacks practice squad. Despite this, he has not yet kicked in a regular-season game.
On Monday, October 9 at 1:00 p.m. EDT, the Redblacks (4-11) will visit the Alouettes (8-7) in a game. In the three previous games between the two clubs this season, Montreal has prevailed, including a resounding 32-15 victory last week.
