The Hamilton Tiger-Cats will have the CFL’s reigning Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman, Chris Van Zeyl back in the starting lineup for Week 2.
After a stellar 2019 season at right tackle, the 37-year-old missed the Ticats season-opening loss to Winnipeg with a thumb injury.
Van Zeyl anchored an offensive line that helped Hamilton post league-leading rankings in offensive points (508), offensive points per game (28.2), offensive touchdowns (50), net offence (7,125 yards), net offence per game (395.8 yards), average yards per play (6.84), first downs (398), passing yards (5,639), passing yards per game (313.3), average gain per pass (9.0 yards) and 30-plus yard pass gains (31) last CFL season.
The six-foot-six, 312-pound native of Fonthill, Ontario has appeared in 173 games with 164 starts over his 12 seasons in the three-down league with the Tabbies and Toronto Argonauts (2009-2018), winning Grey Cups in 2012 and 2017 with the Argos.
Van Zeyl was originally selected out of McMaster University by the Montreal Alouettes in the third round, 18th overall during the 2007 CFL Draft before joining the Argonauts in September 2008.
Hamilton quarterback Jeremiah Masoli was consistently pressured against the Blue Bombers, even though there was only one registered sack in Week 1. Van Zeyl should help stabilize the front for the Ticats and allow Masoli more time to operate.
