Preview: Dedmon to make Alouettes debut on Sunday

DeVonte Dedmon is one of the most dynamic returners in CFL history, and on Sunday night he’ll make his Alouettes debut at Percival Molson Stadium against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Dedmon suffered an injury in training camp and was placed on the six-game injured list. He’s been practicing in full over the last few weeks and is officially eligible to come off the injured list this week.

“Coach (Byron Archmbault) and I had a conversation,” Dedmon said after Friday’s practice. “My job is to just do my job. I’m just going to come in and do what I’ve done throughout my entire career. I’m going to catch the ball, get vertical and try to make something special happen. There’s no pressure there. I get paid to do it, so I’ve got to do it.”

The 30-year-old is explosive with the ball in his hands and can change a game in seconds.

“I’m at peace (before the ball is kicked),” he said. “I don’t think about anything. Nothing matters. The only person I’ve ever heard on a kick return is my mom. Everything else is about having a good time. (Byron) puts us in a perfect situation to be great. I’m just going to try to take advantage of that and trust my teammates, who trust me to hit the hole.”

Dedmon is one of five changes the Alouette will be making to their roster ahead of Sunday’s game against Hamilton.

DeVonte Dedmon

Receiver Alexander Hollins will return to the lineup after his wife gave birth to twins recently. The 29-year-old has 11 receptions for 215 yards and two touchdowns in 2026.

Quarterback Terry Wilson, who is a short-yardage specialist, will also dress for his first game as an Alouette. Defensive end TJ Guy and running back Rushawn Baker will also be suiting up in their first game.

Wilson spent the 2024 and 2025 seasons with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Guy signed with the Alouettes earlier this month. The 23-year-old played college football for the Michigan Wolverines where he won the National Title in 2023.

Baker attended training camp with the Edmonton Elks earlier this year. He was added to the practice roster last week and he’ll serve as Travis Theis’ backup on Sunday.

Speaking of Theis, he’s coming off his first 100-yard rushing performance in the CFL in last week’s victory over Calgary.

“That was my probably my best game,” the 25-year-old said of his performance against the Stampeders. “There’s still so much room for me to improve. I’m looking to do that this week.”

Theis has rushed for at least 91 yards in three of his last four outings. He’s also caught registered at least 47 yards receiving in two of his last four games.

“I take pride is being versatile,” he said. “It’s something I do in both (American and Canadian) games, I think.”

A huge game

Because of their Week 1 win in Hamilton, the Alouettes can lock up the season series versus the Tiger-Cats with a win on Sunday. That would go a long way in improving the team’s odds in locking up the first seed in the East Division.

“It’s a huge game,” Theis admitted. “We can take the series lead. We’re up 1-0, but just beating a divisional opponent is huge. Big game.”

The Ticats, who will be without starting quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell for the third game in a row, are coming off an emotional win over the Toronto Argonauts last Saturday night.

Canadian Pivot Tre Ford produced 218 passing yards and 109 yards on the ground in the 24-23 win over the Argos.

Preventing him from scrambling is easier said than done, but if the Alouettes can do that, they’ll give themselves a great chance of winning.

“It’s (all about) team defence when you play a guy like [Ford] and how you defend him,” head coach Jason Maas said. “You have to be very disciplined. He has a skillset and the capabilities to make things happen. If you’re disciplined with how to control him, you can do it. He’s going to make plays; there’s no doubt about that. You just want to limit the damage when you can. Also, when you get near him, you have to hit him.”