Update from practice: Ticats add vet DBs Tisdale, Ellis

With training camp camp complete and final cuts out of the way, the Ticats held their first practice of the regular season on Sunday at Tim Hortons Field in spectacularly sunny and warm conditions. A few quick notes on the proceedings:

• after releasing bevy of rookie defensive backs (and losing a bunch more to injury) the Ticats have signed veterans Geoff Tisdale and Dominque Ellis. Tisdale has been in the league nine seasons and this is his third stint with the Ticats while Ellis was released by Montreal yesterday after starting all 18 games last season. Tisdale lined up at the boundary corner with the first team defence today while Ellis has yet to arrive in Hamilton.

• centre Mike Filer and receiver Andy Fantuz, who missed the last chunk of training camp due to injury, practiced with the first team unit but defensive tackle Ted Laurent – a key Canadian – did not do team work today. Mike Atkinson took his spot.

• Jeremiah Masoli took first teams reps at quarterback today, a strong indication he’ll start Thursday against the Argonauts.

• speaking of quarterbacks, TSN reporter Matthew Scianitti tweeted an update on Zach Collaros. The fact that the team hasn’t put him on the six-game injured list – which would give the team some cap savings – could be an indication that they hope he’ll be back before then.

Wed will be 8 months since Zach Collaros ACL surgery.He’ll be allowed drop back/move laterally #Ticats are committed to 9month timeline #CFL

— Matthew Scianitti (@TSNScianitti) June 19, 2016

Nine months would be July 22, a day before their fifth game versus Edmonton, but the Ticats have a bye week immediately after, making the Aug. 3 contest against Winnipeg a likely target.