QB Dustin Crum to make sixth start in Thanksgiving audition for Ottawa Redblacks

The Ottawa Redblacks hope that quarterback depth is something they can be thankful for this Thanksgiving, as they give Dustin Crum another crack at the starting job.

The team announced earlier this week that franchise pivot Dru Brown has been shut down for the remainder of the season with a knee injury, allowing them to fully evaluate that position ahead of impending organizational changes.

Crum has gone 2-3 over five starts this season, securing as many wins as Brown has. The 26-year-old native of Grafton, Ohio, has thrown for 1,609 yards, six touchdowns, and two interceptions this season and carried the ball 71 times for 393 yards and 11 scores.

Additionally, Tyrie Adams has been activated for this game and will serve as backup ahead of veteran Matthew Shiltz on the depth chart, raising the possibility that he could see snaps. The remainder of the offence remains unchanged, save for returner DeVonte Dedmon dressing as a depth running back. Right tackle Drew Desjarlais is listed as a game-time decision with a back injury.

Defensively, Ottawa will be missing a couple of key starters due to injury in safety Bennett Williams (knee) and weakside linebacker Lucas Cormier (head). Other depth pieces sitting out include American defensive end Chase McGowan (calf), Canadian defensive end Kene Onyeka (hamstring), and Canadian safety Charlie Ringland (quad). American linebacker Jamie Pettway and Canadian defensive back King Ambers have been returned to the practice squad.

Davion Taylor will get the start at linebacker, with the recently acquired Jonathan Jones and Canadian Zachary Philion dressing for insurance. Behind them, Deandre Lamont will roll to safety and be backed up by Canadian rookie Eric Cumberbatch, while Mark Milton returns to field halfback after missing last week for personal reasons. Cameron Lockridge will make his first career start at field corner, while Canadian Deionte Knight dresses for depth along the defensive line.

The Ottawa Redblacks (4-11) will visit the Montreal Alouettes (8-7) at Percival Molson Stadium on Monday, October 13 with kickoff slated for 1:00 p.m. EDT. The Redblacks were eliminated from playoff contention with a loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders this past week, while the Alouettes were on a bye.

The weather forecast in Montreal calls for a high of 18 degrees with a mix of sun and cloud. The game will be broadcast on TSN and RDS in Canada, CBS Sports Network in the United States, and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune-in on TSN 1200 in Ottawa and TSN 690 in Montreal.

Graphic courtesy: Ottawa Redblacks