After a week off, the Alouettes (10-1) will be back on the field this weekend, as they’ll host the BC Lions (6-6) on Friday night at 7:30 pm ET. The last time the Als were in action, they defeated the Edmonton Elks 21-17. The Lions are coming off a 38-12 win over the Ottawa Redblacks last Saturday night.
Jason Maas’ squad enters this game with a perfect 6-0 record against the West Division in 2024. Five of those six games have been close, as they’ve been decided by less than one possession.
Here’s what you need to know about this week’s game:
Austin Mack is out:
Receiver Austin Mack, who made his 2024 debut for the Alouettes last game suffered a lower-body injury during Wednesday’s practice. He was originally supposed to be a game-time decision for Friday’s game, but the team announced that he had been placed on the six-game injured list on Thursday afternoon.
The 27-year-old had three receptions on eight targets for 32 yards in the win over Edmonton two weeks ago. The timing of the injury is unfortunate because he and Cody Fajardo seemed to be clicking more and more throughout the week.
Jose Barbon, who has been on the practice squad for most of the season, will replace Mack in the starting lineup. Barbon suited up in one game for the Alouettes this season, as he played in Edmonton in Week 2.
Explosive plays:
Heading into Week 14 in the CFL, these two teams are first and second in 30-plus-yard completions. The Alouettes are first (27) while the Lions are second (21). They are the only two squads to hit the 20-mark, as Hamilton and Edmonton are both at 17.
The Alouettes have several players that can stretch the field, including Mack and Charleston Rambo. But Cole Spieker showed an ability to make the big play with a 36-yard reception and two touchdowns last week.
“I feel like we have great players that can catch the ball,” head coach Jason Maas said. “They’re all dangerous. Our offensive line gives us the opportunity to do that. Our quarterbacks have been able to be accurate with throws, and those receptions have come from all different types of guys. Our running back has some of those and every single receiver has one.”
Changes to the lineup:
The Als will finally be getting reinforcements. The benefits will primarily be felt on special teams, as some key contributors will be back for coordinator Byron Archambault.
Defensive back Cre’Von Leblanc, linebackers Tyrell Richards and Frederic Chagnon, and receiver Reggie White Jr. will all be back in the lineup on Friday.
Leblanc played in the first four games of the season before being placed on the six-game injured list with a hamstring injury. He had an impressive four special teams tackles in those four outings.
Richards went down with an achilles injury in the season opener in Winnipeg and hasn’t played since. The 25-year-old made three defensive tackles before coming out of the game.
Chagnon is also back after a stint on the six-game injured list due to a knee injury. The 31-year-old has three special teams tackles in five games this season.
White Jr. returns to the starting lineup after being placed on the practice squad ahead of the last game. The 28-year-old has 240 receiving yards and four touchdowns in six games in 2024.
