Ticats’ Canadian DL Ted Laurent officially out for 108th Grey Cup after undergoing appendectomy

Hamilton Tiger-Cats Canadian defensive lineman Ted Laurent is out for the 108th Grey Cup after undergoing an appendectomy.

The six-foot-one, 299-pound interior defender underwent surgery mid-week and will miss the match-up with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers because of it. He played 13 games for the Ticats during the 2021 regular season, recording 14 tackles for the East Division champions.

The 33-year-old entered the league with Edmonton in 2011, Laurent has 200 tackles, 48 sacks and seven forced fumbles in 155 career CFL games.

A five-time all-star, Laurent has been with the Ticats since 2014. He helped Hamilton get to their second straight Grey Cup appearance this season, adding four tackles in the playoffs as the defensive line for the Tabbies took over both the East Semi-Final against Montreal and East Final against Toronto.

Not having Laurent on the field will make it even more difficult for Hamilton to try and contain Bombers running back Andrew Harris. Winnipeg’s star rusher carried the ball 23 times for 136 yards and one touchdown in the West Final win over Saskatchewan.

American Lee Autry III will take Laurent’s place in the starting lineup, he checks in at six-foot-two, 305 pounds. In order to meet the ratio requirement of seven national starters, Tunde Adeleke moves to field halfback in the secondary while Stavros Katsantonis starts at safety.