Johany Jutras/Argonauts.ca
Welcome to Week 10 of the regular season. The aches and pains continue to pile up as the midway point is officially crossed late Saturday night, leaving both teams and Fantasy owners forced to adjust on a dime. On the other hand, a talented trio of pass-catchers returns as DeVier Posey, Bryan Burnham and Brandon Zylstra are set to play.
How do you get an edge over your fellow Fantasy owners? Simple. Keep reading.
Winnipeg at Montreal
Thursday | 7:30 p.m. ET
Als running back Brandon Rutley could get the start instead of Tyrell Sutton this week (The Canadian Press)
Running back Tyrell Sutton ($6,054) missed practice this week with a knee bruise, but the league’s fourth-leading rusher was atop the depth chart on Wednesday. The Als may give Brandon Rutley ($4,806) some touches considering he rushed for 76 yards on 11 carries while also catching four passes for 22 yards in the first meeting against the Blue Bombers in Week 6. Sutton deserves an RB2 look, as Montreal leads the league with an average of 5.9 yards per carry and faces a Winnipeg defence that has allowed a league-high six runs of over 20 yards. Receiver Tiquan Underwood ($3,571) will miss a second straight game as George Johnson ($2,500) gets the starting nod.
The Bombers will be without receiver Weston Dressler ($5,195) for at least one more game, but he did do some running during this week’s practice. Chances are good the sure-handed veteran will be back for next week’s tilt against the Roughriders. Receiver Julian Feoli Gudino ($2,500), who left with an ankle injury last week, will remain in the starting lineup, yet does not have much Fantasy value.
Saskatchewan at Edmonton
Friday | 9:30 p.m. ET
Brandon Zylstra’s long-awaited return appears to be on its way in Week 10 (The Canadian Press)
Receiver/return specialist Chad Owens ($4,978) has practised with the team but will have to wait another week before suiting up. Out all season with a lower body injury, Owens has made strides, yet coach Chris Jones said on Tuesday he wanted to make sure Owens was “100 per cent” before putting him on the field.
Receiver Brandon Zylstra ($4,345) appears to be ready to return after missing the last two games with a lower body injury. At worst, he’s a middle of the road WR2, but keep in mind Zylstra is still eighth in the league with 537 yards despite missing the last two-plus contests. Just as the Eskimos gain one receiver, they may be without Vidal Hazelton ($5,162), who sat out of practices this week after leaving last week’s loss at Winnipeg with a lower body injury. His status is in question, which makes him a risky play until his spot in the lineup is confirmed.
The receiving corps could be stronger soon as Adarius Bowman ($6,417) returned to practice this week and his return will make Mike Reilly ($14,000) and the league’s best passing attack (335.6 yards per game) more productive. Bowman could play as early as Week 11.
BC at Ottawa
Saturday | 3:30 p.m. ET
Bryan Burnham returns to the lineup with a trio of 100-yard games to his name (The Canadian Press)
Jonathon Jennings ($8,246) gets receiver Bryan Burnham ($5,350) back in the lineup after he missed the last two games with a foot injury. Burnham is sixth in yardage and has three 100-yard outings, making him a great play against a REDBLACKS pass defence ranked eighth in yards allowed per game (332.7). Fellow receiver Nick Moore ($3,939) missed last week’s defeat against Calgary with a back issue and may be a game-time decision. If Moore is out, either Maurice Morgan or Danny Vandervoort (both at $2,500) could see time.
The REDBLACKS’ only injury concern is receiver/return specialist Quincy McDuffie ($2,500), who missed last week’s game with a lower body injury. If McDuffie is out for a second straight week, Diontae Spencer ($3,922), who accounted for 187 yards at Hamilton last week, could take full advantage of a Lions team that has struggled to cover returns. William Powell ($5,164) will start again at running back, which likely makes Mossis Madu ($6,281) a healthy scratch in favor of Brendan Gillanders ($2,500).
Toronto at Calgary
Saturday | 9:00 p.m. ET
Bo Levi Mitchell may not be worth the risk in Week 10 against a stingy Argo defence (Graham Hughes/CFL.ca)
Jimmy Ralph ($2,500) gets the start in place of injured Anthony Coombs ($3,000), who is sidelined indefinitely with a shoulder injury. Ralph has minimal value as the Argos won’t hesitate to throw at will against a Stampeders defence that is second only to Toronto in passing yards allowed per game (266.8). The receiving corps gets an upgrade via the return of DeVier Posey ($3,074) to the lineup after he missed the last six games with a lower body injury. Posey had 19 catches for 281 yards and two touchdowns in his first three games and makes for an interesting Flex option.
Stamps quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell ($9,302) is dealing with arm soreness and is not a good play for Fantasy owners despite the fact he worked the Argos for 249 yards and three majors when the two teams met in Week 7. Running back Jerome Messam ($7,745), who has scored six touchdowns in the last four games, will be in the lineup after a sustaining a knee injury last week. Toronto has a solid run defence, but there’s no reason Messam shouldn’t be in your lineup if Fantasy owners are looking for a sure thing in the backfield.
