TORONTO — The TSN CFL Fantasy game is easy for any fan to play, with just seven roster spots and a $40,000 salary cap.
However, success requires, at a bare minimum, knowledge of which star players are sitting due to injury. With such small rosters, a wasted spot on a player who isn’t in the lineup can be a devastating blow to your week’s score.
Meanwhile, the more dedicated Fantasy player will want to keep close tabs on who’s practising with the first-team offence. Practice reports can be the source of hidden gems that produce big numbers despite low ownership percentage, providing an edge over the rest of the field.
With that, CFL.ca breaks down some of the critical roster notes for each game.
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Calgary at Winnipeg
Friday | 8:30 p.m. ET
Romar Morris, RB, CGY
Romar Morris ($6,083) is listed second on the Stamps’ running back depth chart. Morris had a punt return touchdown last week and will likely get the nod over Terry Williams ($4,651) as the returner and change of pace back.
Terry Williams, RB, CGY
It looks like Terry Williams ($4,651) will be the odd man out Friday night in the Stamps’ backfield. Dave Dickenson has three talented backs on his hands and will continue to dress two from week to week. For now, Don Jackson ($6,690) is the starter, while Morris has the hot hand as the returner.
Bakari Grant, WR, CGY
Bakari Grant ($3,454) will have to wait another week to play his first game of 2018. Grant was signed last week to off-set the Stampeders’ recent injury woes, but has yet to crack the lineup through two games.
Ottawa at Hamilton
Saturday | 4:00 p.m. ET
Brandon Banks, WR, HAM
The Ticats announced this week that Brandon Banks ($12,471) will not play again in 2018 after breaking his clavicle. Awful news for the team and for Banks, who was having a career year with more than 1,400 yards. It’ll be interesting to see how Banks’ previous production is spread out on the offence.
Alex Green, RB, HAM
Alex Green ($9, 444) returned from the six-game injured list last week, breaking 100 yards from scrimmage for a total of 12.6 Fantasy points. He’s been the most productive running back in Fantasy this season when available, though his price tag reflects it, going into Week 20 as the most expensive player at his position.
Terrell Sinkfield, WR, HAM
Recently-signed Terrell Sinkfield ($4,964) is expected to make his Ticats debut Saturday vs. the REDBLACKS. Sinkfield hasn’t played a CFL game since 2016 after going to the NFL, but could play a major role with the injury to Banks. He’s certainly got the speed to make an impact on June Jones’ offence.
Marquay McDaniel, WR, HAM
A week after making his first start of 2018, Marquay McDaniel ($3,740) could see his role grow in the Ticats’ offence following the injury to Brandon Banks ($12,471). Despite his proven track record, we’d recommend a wait and see approach, as other options like Mike Jones ($4,087), Justin Buren ($2,500) and Terrell Sinkfield ($4,964) will also be looking for an expanded role.
BC at Saskatchewan
Saturday | 7:00 p.m. ET
Marcus Thigpen, RB, SSK
Marcus Thigpen ($6,471) is out for the second week in a row. He was a surprise scratch last week, as the Riders opted to go with power running back Cameron Marshall ($5,355) in tandem with Tre Mason ($4,482) in their win over Calgary. Perhaps the Riders are looking to get him rested for the playoffs.
Naaman Roosevelt, WR, SSK
Chris Jones has stated that Naaman Roosevelt ($5,566) will return to the lineup this week vs. the BC Lions. It’s a major boost for an otherwise young receiving corps, as Roosevelt was considered one of the CFL’s top receivers going into the year. Still, this may not be the week to deploy Roosevelt as he’s listed as a backup and could ease his way in.
Cameron Marshall, RB, SSK
The Riders leaned heavily on the fresh legs of Cameron Marshall ($5,355) last week, giving him the ball often in a win over the league-leading Stamps. He’s an intriguing option, but with Tre Mason ($4,482) also in the equation, there’s no guarantee he’ll see the same kind of workload as last week.
Kenny Shaw, WR, SSK
After three straight starts, Kenny Shaw ($3,636) was out of the Riders’ lineup last weekend and replaced by KD Cannon ($2,500). It doesn’t appear as though Shaw will make it back any time soon, as the Riders are getting Naaman Roosevelt ($5,566) back this week.
KD Cannon, WR, SSK
Rookie receiver KD Cannon ($2,500) had a nice debut for the Riders, hauling in four catches for 61 yards in a win over Calgary, which has earned him another start. He’ll get the go at field wideout, where he’s listed ahead of Caleb Holley on the depth chart.
Chris Rainey, RB, BC
According to Lowell Ullrich, Lions return man and change of pace back Chris Rainey ($6,318) is nursing an ankle injury and likely won’t play vs. Saskatchewan. Rainey ran with a chip on his shoulder last week, scoring a punt return touchdown in his return to the lineup. Shakeir Ryan ($2,500) has reportedly handled return duties in Rainey’s absence.
Jeremiah Johnson, RB, BC
Jeremiah Johnson ($6,034) will not play this week despite the apparent injury to Chris Rainey ($6,318). Shakeir Ryan ($2,500) draws onto the roster instead, likely because of his ability to return kicks in the event that Rainey can’t play.
Toronto at Montreal
Sunday | 1:00 p.m. ET
Johnny Manziel, QB, MTL
Johnny Manziel ($6,716) is the starting quarterback for the Montreal Alouettes in Week 20. It’s been quite a week for Manziel in the media, with reports that Antonio Pipkin ($6,000) was seeing some first-team reps to start one practice, along with a bizarre story about Manziel’s popularity in the locker-room. At the end of the day, Manziel has looked better each time on the field, and has a great matchup against the league’s worst secondary.
