Checking Down: Hughes, Jefferson on the fence for Week 3

TORONTO — While all nine quarterbacks remain healthy (knock on wood), the injury bug has hit across the CFL.

A third season-ending injury will test the Eskimos’ depth while Jonathon Mincy, Charleston Hughes and A.J. Jefferson are all unknowns for Week 3.

We check on the latest in this week’s Checking Down as Week 3 kicks off Thursday:

Jump to team:

BC LIONS

Wally Buono hopes his team’s stopover in Kingston will have its desired affect this weekend (David Chidley/CFL.ca)

– With five French Canadians on the roster, Week 3’s trip to Montreal is a homecoming for a handful of BC Lions (Brian Helberg, BCLions.com).

– Wally Buono says there’s plenty to gain from a stopover in Kington, Ont. between games on the Lions’ road trip — including the prospect of players being ‘bored’ (Ed Willes, Vancouver Province).

EDMONTON ESKIMOS

Travon Van will be the next man up in the Eskimos’ offensive backfield (The Canadian Press)

– The Esks’ 50/50 draw continues to garner attention league-wide. This time, an unclaimed $82,000 prize will be carried over to the team’s next home game (Emily Mertz, Global News).

– For the Eskimos, their third major season-ending injury (this one to John White) will be a significant test to their depth (Terry Jones, Edmonton Journal).

CALGARY STAMPEDERS

Charleston Hughes is on the fence for his team’s Week 3 matchup in Winnipeg (Angela Burger/Stampeders.com)

– Charleston Hughes has missed two straight days of practice for the Stamps and is in danger of missing this weekend’s clash with the Bombers. Meanwhile, Shane Bergman is back at practice but isn’t yet guaranteed to play (Daniel Austin, Calgary Herald).

– After giving up 725 yards over two weeks, the Stampeders’ secondary believes it’s better than the numbers indicate — and will only continue to get better (Daniel Austin, Calgary Herald).

– DaVaris Daniels may be back in the Stamps’ lineup as soon as this week — a surprise return after his initial injury was feared much worse (Daniel Austin, Calgary Herald).

SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS

Tyler Crapigna has gotten a vote of confidence from his head coach Chris Jones (Matt Smith/CFL.ca)

– In a sudden turn of events, Henoc Muamba is expected to play Saturday despite being placed on the 6-game injured list. Caleb Holley did not practise Tuesday for the Green and White (Murray McCormick, Regina Leader-Post).

– After the Riders released defensive end Jonathan Newsome on Tuesday, Chris Jones said the reason was a difference of opinion (Murray McCormick, Regina Leader-Post).

– Before signing with the Riders, 2017 second round draft pick Jeremy Zver reportedly declined a spot on the Lions’ practice roster (Justin Dunk, 3 Down Nation).

– Chris Jones offered a vote of confidence for kicker Tyler Crapigna on Tuesday, stating that Crapigna will remain the team’s place kicker after two costly late-game misses (Riderville.com).

WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS

While Kevin Fogg’s status is unknown, the Bombers’ lineup should remain mostly the same (Jason Halstead/CFL.ca)

– The Bombers have announced they’ll be unveiling a bronze statue of the late Cal Murphy at Investors Group Field in September (BlueBombers.com).

– Bombers defensive back Roc Carmichael had a tough start to his CFL career after getting beat twice by the Riders receivers for touchdowns (Paul Friesen, Winnipeg Sun).

– Mike O’Shea says the Bombers may go with a similar lineup as in Week 2 while the status of Kevin Fogg (lower body injury) remains in the air (Mike Sawatzky, Winnipeg Free Press).

HAMILTON TIGER-CATS

Usually a returner, Brandon Banks could get a chance to play on offence for the ‘Cats (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

– There are plenty of suitors for injured receiver Terrence Toliver’s spot on the offence as Brandon Banks, Damarr Aultman and Jalen Saunders are all possibilities to draw into the lineup (Steve Milton, The Hamilton Spectator).

– While Terrence Toliver’s injury appears to be long-term, Head Coach Kent Austin says there’s an ‘outside chance’ at a late-season return (Drew Edwards, The Hamilton Spectator).

TORONTO ARGONAUTS

Brandon Whitaker is back to getting first team reps for the Argos this week (Geoff Robins/CFL.ca)

– Already with four sacks next to his name, rookie defensive end Victor Butler attributes his early CFL success to the help provided by veteran members of the Argos’ D-line, including Shawn Lemon (Frank Zicarelli, Toronto Sun).

– While a short week forced him out of the lineup vs. BC, Brandon Whitaker is back at Argos practice taking first-team reps (Frank Zicarelli, Toronto Sun).

OTTAWA REDBLACKS

Juron Criner’s injury is considered serious but may not be season-ending (Geoff Robins/CFL.ca)

– Injuries continue to mount for the REDBLACKS, who will be without Juron Criner for more than six weeks — although his injury isn’t considered season-ending (Tim Baines, Ottawa Citizen).

– More on the REDBLACKS injury front: A.J. Jefferson remains questionable while William Powell and Jake Silas are expected back. The same cannot be said for Nolan MacMillan (Tim Baines, Ottawa Citizen).

– According to Tim Baines, Trevor Harris remains without a contract beyond the 2017 season and any talks of an extension may have to wait until the off-season (Tim Baines, Ottawa Citizen).

– With close to 18,000 season tickets, the REDBLACKS’ young demographic has injected energy into the fan base. But how is the team appealing to younger fans? (Tim Baines, Ottawa Citizen).

MONTREAL ALOUETTES

Als coach Jacques Chapdelaine will seek a more consistent effort in Week 3 for the Als (Dominick Gravel/Montreal Alouettes)

– Despite the offensive face lift this off-season, that unit remains inconsistent through two games of the new season (Herb Zurkowski, Montreal Gazette).

– On the Alouettes injury front, Chip Cox is dealing with an injury but is expected to play while Jonathon Mincy is reportedly unlikely to suit up on Thursday. Ryan Phillips and Don Unamba would play corner for the Als (Herb Zurkowsky, Montreal Gazette)