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With Edmonton’s Travon Van (upper body injury) likely to miss at least this week’s game against Hamilton, the league loses one of its more explosive talents. However, the league will also regain one, as speed merchant Chris Williams makes his long-awaited debut in a BC uniform. The former Ottawa receiver, who signed with the Lions during the off-season, missed the first six games recovering from the torn ACL he sustained with the REDBLACKS midway through last year, missing the team’s run to the Grey Cup title.
Entering Week 7, everyone’s banged up, some (Edmonton) more than others. How does this impact your chances for Fantasy success? Let’s find out.
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Calgary at Toronto
Thursday | 7:30 p.m. ET
Mitchell still has a long list of offensive threats despite an injury to Kamar Jorden (Larry MacDougal/CFL)
Losing Kamar Jorden ($5,992) takes a playmaker away from Bo Levi Mitchell ($11,175), but weep not for the Stamps’ pivot. DaVaris Daniels ($4,730) is overdue for a big game and might be slept on since he has just one touchdown and hasn’t exceeded 90 yards in a contest thus far. Marquay McDaniel ($5,161) did not have a catch in last week’s win over Hamilton. That will change. Keep an eye on Marken Michel ($2,500) who is averaging 28.4 yards per haul on his eight receptions and could emerge as another weapon for the league’s highest-scoring offence.
Argos receiver Armanti Edwards ($3,752) will not play for the Argos, opening up a spot for Khalil Paden.
Winnipeg at Ottawa
Friday | 7:00 p.m. ET
Dressler will be a noticeable absence from the Bombers lineup this week (The Canadian Press)
The Blue Bombers will be without receiver Weston Dressler ($5,706), who was injured in last week’s heart-stopper against the Alouettes. While Ryan Lankford ($3,568) has worked out in Dressler’s spot, this presents an opportunity for T.J. Thorpe ($2,500), who has 15 catches in his first two games since being promoted from the practice squad. There is plenty of sleeper potential for a discount in Thorpe.
Fresh from their grueling four-game, 17-day run, the REDBLACKS will have added firepower in the form of return specialist Quincy McDuffie, last year’s league leader in kickoff return yards. William Powell ($5,161) should get the start at running back, as the down time allowed him to heal up the ankle that has caused him problems at times this season.
Hamilton at Edmonton
Friday | 9:30 p.m. ET
Van has stepped up for the Esks since John White went down with a season ending torn ACL (Dave Chidley/The Canadian Press)
While the defence has a rash of injuries across the board, the Ticats’ offence could be without receiver Junior Collins ($2,918) for a second straight week. That will mean another start for Kevin Elliott ($3,675), who had two catches for 36 yards in last week’s defeat at Calgary.
Van ($4,644) will miss this week’s game with his long-term status still to be determined. The Eskimos have since added LaDarius Perkins ($2,500) from the practice squad and also signed Marion Grice, who was in camp with the team before being released before the start of the regular season, to the practice squad. Perkins could be a sneaky play as his cheap price tag opens up spending elsewhere.
Saskatchewan at BC
Saturday | 7:00 p.m. ET
Lulay has thrown seven touchdowns in three starts (The Canadian Press)
While he won’t make his debut until at least next week, receiver/return specialist Chad Owens ($5,485) began practising with the team on Tuesday as he recovers from a foot injury that placed him on the six-game IL.
Travis Lulay ($10,463) gets his third start in place of injured Jonathon Jennings ($10,078), who continues to do light throwing and may be 2-3 weeks away from returning. Lulay does get the first shot at tossing the ball to Williams ($7,080), who gives the Lions’ offence a lethal element. Williams is a tempting Fantasy play here, but the guess is that he will be limited in his debut in front of the BC Place fans. Arceneaux ($6,387) missed practice on Tuesday with a minor knee ailment, but should be ready to go.
