Top Redblacks’ receiver Jaelon Acklin ruled out for rematch with Alouettes

Photo courtesy: Scott Grant/CFLPhotoArchive.com

The Ottawa Redblacks will be facing the razor’s edge of playoff elimination without their top offensive playmaker, as receiver Jaelon Acklin has been placed on the one-game injured list due to head and shoulder injuries suffered as a result of an illegal hit from Montreal linebacker Micah Awe.

Acklin has had a breakout season in 2022, his first with the Redblacks. He currently sits third in the CFL with 1,169 receiving yards on 75 receptions despite catching passes from three different quarterbacks, adding two touchdowns.

The Western Illinois product joined the team this offseason after two successful campaigns in Hamilton. He started 16 games for the Ticats in 2019, recording 57 receptions for 701 yards and three touchdowns. The 27-year-old improved in his second CFL season in 2021, recording 50 receptions for 678 yards and four touchdowns over 14 regular season games.

Acklin will be replaced in Ottawa’s lineup by Siaosi Mariner. The 25-year-old is making his first CFL appearance after spending the year on the practice roster and rose to prominence catching passes from NFL first-round pick Jordan Love at Utah State, amassing 987 yards and ten touchdowns in his senior season.

The Redblacks will also be without fan favourite returner DeVonte Dedmon due to a quad injury and starting running back William Powell due to an injured shoulder. Canadian Jackson Bennett will take over in the backfield, while receiver Ryan Davis will assume return duties.

Ottawa (4-11) is not yet eliminated from playoff contention but need to win out and get some considerable help to stay alive. They are scheduled to host the Montreal Alouettes (7-8) on Friday, October 14 at 7:00 p.m. EDT, a rematch of last week’s 24-18 upset by the Redblacks.