It was written in the Alouettes’—dark?—sky, but starting quarterback Davis Alexander was absent from Montreal’s practice on Sunday at Hébert Stadium in Saint-Léonard. Head coach Jason Maas even confirmed that he would miss Thursday’s game, when the Alouettes visit the Calgary Stampeders.
“He’s not here today and won’t play this week. And as you’ll ask me every time, when he’s not here, it means he won’t play,” Maas told the reporters gathered there, who were trying to find out more.
Can we still ask him every week?
“Yes, but the answer will be the same: his situation will be reassessed on a weekly basis.”
This is still worrying, considering that the offense didn’t really get off to a good start under McLeod Bethel-Thompson during Alexander’s first two-game absence.
Alexander was in his first game back from injury, Thursday against the Toronto Argonauts. He led the Alouettes to a spectacular comeback, recording a crucial 26-25 victory over a division opponent.
It was after scoring the game-winning touchdown on a 10-yard run that Alexander re-injured himself. A few steps before crossing the end zone, he injured the back of his left thigh, suggesting a new hamstring injury.
Alexander remained in the game for the missed two-point conversion after his touchdown, but Caleb Evans took charge of the offense for the final series of the game.
It remains to be seen whether the Birds’ No. 10 will miss a few games or be placed on the six-game injured list.
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Bethel-Thompson led the Alouettes’ first offensive unit during Sunday’s practice. He will be the starter on Thursday.
“The quarterback situation is exactly the same as it was a few weeks ago,” noted Maas. “McLeod will be the starter and we’ll see from there. We have two other guys who can come in at any time.”
The Alouettes’ offense hasn’t been firing on all cylinders during the two games that ‘MBT’ has been in charge. Nothing to worry the coach or Bethel-Thompson.
“He’s an experienced quarterback, but he lacks experience in our system,” noted Maas. “All the repetitions he’s getting for us and these two games will make him better. We have full confidence in him, Caleb [Evans] and James [Morgan].
“It’s not just the quarterback’s fault when the offense is not doing well. (…) Everyone has to do more, including the coaches.”
“I need to cut the four or five bad plays I had in these two games,” explained Bethel-Thompson. “If we can reduce those bad plays to two per game, then zero. If we do that, we’ll probably win these games.”
“I’ve played these kinds of games before in my career. (…) Just correct these mistakes and there won’t be a problem.”
Philpot and Letcher out
The Alouettes’ offense was also without receiver Tyson Philpot. The Alouettes’ No. 6 was scratched from the team’s lineup at the last minute last Thursday due to a knee injury.
“Tyson Philpot won’t play this week,” Maas said. “I don’t know how long he’ll be out. He’ll be reevaluated week by week as well.”
Kick return specialist James Letcher Jr. was also conspicuous by his absence. Letcher told colleagues after Thursday’s game that he suffered a broken hand.
“He’ll be reevaluated as well, but he could be [in Thursday’s game],” Maas said. “(…) I’ve seen guys play with a broken hand. We’ll see if he can make it.”
Receiver Lincoln Victor, signed in the morning, was in the session. He’s expected to be used as a return specialist against the Stamps.
Lemon Officially Back
The Alouettes didn’t have all the bad news for this session, however. On defense, Dylan Wynn and Mustafa Johnson were back with their teammates, as was Shawn Lemon, who was officially able to resume training with the group.
Absent for more than a season due to an indefinite suspension for betting on CFL games in 2021, Lemon was readmitted by Commissioner Stewart Johnston after confessing to his crime. He will, however, have to serve the final game of his two-game suspension for violating the CFL’s anti-doping policy during the Alouettes’ next outing.
Lemon was very happy to be back with his teammates, but didn’t want to discuss his off-field issues.
“If you have any football questions or questions about upcoming games, I’d be happy to answer them,” he said.
Lemon still stayed in shape during his absence. He emphasized that he never gave up hope of being readmitted to the Canadian league.
“I’m an optimistic guy by nature. I had faith that we’d get to this point.”
Lemon added that he received offers from other CFL teams once his suspension was lifted. However, there were no other options for him.
“This is where I wanted to play. I like the team, the management, my teammates. I like playing under Coach [Noel] Thorpe, and I love the city.”
The Alouettes (4-2) will face the Stampeders (5-1), who have been on fire since the start of the season, on Thursday at McMahon Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 9 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
