
THE CANADIAN PRESS
TORONTO — It appears help is on the way in Montreal as Kenny Stafford and Tyrell Sutton get ready for their Week 10 returns. Meanwhile, what’s the latest on Argos pivot Ricky Ray?
That and much, much more in the latest Checking Down:
Jump to team:
BC | Calgary | Edmonton | Saskatchewan | Winnipeg | Hamilton | Toronto | Ottawa | Montreal |
BC LIONS

Mich’ael Brooks could provide a huge boost in the middle of the Lions’ D-line (Jimmy Jeong/CFL.ca)
– Steven Clarke could be the second starter in the Lions’ secondary sidelined for the season by injury, while Anthony Gaitor could be next up at defensive halfback for the Lions (Cam Tucker, Vancouver Province).
– Lions defensive tackle Mich’ael Brooks appears set to return from a sprained ankle that’s sidelined him since July 29 (Mike Beamish, Vancouver Province).
EDMONTON ESKIMOS

Could 2016 be Derel Walker’s final season in Green and Gold? (Walter Tychnowicz/CFL.ca)
– John White’s status is up in the air and if he can’t go in Week 10, Shakir Bell is expected to lead the Esks’ backfield. Meanwhile, Nate Coehoorn has returned to practice for the Green and Gold (Dave Campbell, CHED).
– The Esks’ offence has been good all year, but in Week 9 vs. the Argos that reached new heights when the team hit its highest single-game point total since 2008 (Gerry Moddejonge, Edmonton Sun).
– As Derel Walker continues his super sophomore season, Eskimos fans may have to enjoy it while it lasts as Walker is reportedly a free agent to be (Terry Jones, Edmonton Sun).
CALGARY STAMPEDERS

Former Stampeder Eric Rogers’ NFL career will be put on hold due to a knee injury (The Canadian Press)
– Stampeders linebacker Alex Singleton, the sixth overall pick in the CFL Draft, continues to put a solid rookie season on tape after being called upon vs. the Lions (Scott Fisher, Calgary Herald).
– Set to face his former teammate for the first time, Taylor Reed says Zach Collaros would have been a unanimous MOP in 2015 had he not been hurt (Scott Fisher, Calgary Herald).
– After undergoing surgery to repair his recently-torn ACL, Eric Rogers doesn’t see an opportunity lost — just an opportunity on hold as he’ll have to wait a year to chase his NFL aspirations (Scott Mitchell, Calgary Herald).
SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS

Chris Jones and the Riders look to turn things around in Week 10 vs. Edmonton (Matt Smith/CFL.ca)
– The Riders struggled in almost every aspect vs. Hamilton, but the biggest shortcoming appeared to be in the trenches — particularly at the offensive guard position (Mike Abou-Mechrek, Regina Leader-Post).
– Now 1-7 and without a touchdown for the last 90 minutes, there’s nothing the Riders can do but stay the course and remain patient in the course of their rebuild (Ron Vanstone, Regina Leader-Post).
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS

The Bombers will look to keep Matt Nichols upright against the aggressive Als (The Canadian Press)
– The Bombers are putting not only a three-game winning streak on the line but also a no-sack streak after Matt Nichols was untouched in a win over Toronto (Paul Friesen, Winnipeg Sun).
– After moving around throughout his pro football career, Justin Medlock may have finally found his full-time football home (Paul Friesen, Winnipeg Sun).
– The Bombers have released national fullback Tim Cronk.
HAMILTON TIGER-CATS

It’s only taken two games for Zach Collaros to make a splash in Hamilton (The Canadian Press)
– Is Hamilton’s Week 10 matchup with Calgary a potential Grey Cup preview? CHED‘s Reid Wilkins tells TSN’s Jamie Thomas that could be the case (TSN 1150).
– The Ticats aren’t the only Hamilton team playing a big matchup this weekend, as McMaster opens its season on the same day vs. the Carleton Ravens (Scott Radley, The Hamilton Spectator).
– In just his second game back from injury, Zach Collaros’ five touchdown passes helped him earn Shaw Top Performer honours.
TORONTO ARGONAUTS

Ricky Ray appears on track to return in Week 11 after the Argos’ bye (The Canadian Press)
– According to Gary Lawless, Ricky Ray will return to the Argos’ huddle when they return from the bye in Week 11 (Gary Lawless, TSN).
– After a 4-2 start and a chance to create separation in the East, the Argos have failed to take advantage of two early leads on the way to one-sided losses (Frank Zicarelli, Toronto Sun).
OTTAWA REDBLACKS

All eyes will be on Trevor Harris after a QB change in Ottawa (Patrick Doyle/CFL.ca)
– With all the talk about the quarterback change in Ottawa, Calgary’s Bo Levi Mitchell says Henry Burris hasn’t ‘lost it’ (Scott Fisher, Calgary Herald).
– After battling cancer and diabetes, REDBLACKS D-line coach Leroy Blugh says he’s in good health and has been given a new perspective in life (Herb Zurkowsky, Montreal Gazette).
– In addition to Trevor Harris, Travon Van will also be back in the REDBLACKS’ lineup as the running back position (OttawaREDBLACKS.com)
MONTREAL ALOUETTES

It looks like the Als’ offence will get Kenny Stafford, pictured, back in the lineup (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
– Both Kenny Stafford and Tyrell Sutton are expected back in the lineup for the Alouettes when they take on Winnipeg on Friday night (Herb Zurkowsky, Montreal Gazette).
– Kyries Hebert, 35, is the second-oldest player on the Alouettes but is a crucial piece of Noel Thorpe’s defence (Herb Zurkowsky, Montreal Gazette).
– The Als will be without Jovon Johnson (illness) while recently-signed Hugo Lopez is expected to play special teams Friday (Herb Zurkowsky, Montreal Gazette).