The Montreal Alouettes held their last home practice session of the season on Thursday afternoon and injuries to key players in the lineup was the main topic was once again.
With the East Final just two days away, defensive tackle Mustafa Johnson, left guard Pierre-Olivier Lestage, and receiver Austin Mack all remained limited with varying prognosises.
Mack, healing from a leg injury, was fully dressed, but didn’t take part in any of the first-team reps and was listed as questionable on the final injury report. However, the Fort Wayne, Ind., native is confident he will play against Hamilton.
“Yes, I’m ready to go. I’m good,” Mack told 3DownNation when asked about his status after practice.
Mack is looking to build off of his performances from last week’s win over Winnipeg in the East Semi-Final. He finished that game with three catches for 98 yards, including an highlight reel one, and believes he has momentum on his side.
“Yes, I feel it. I think more than anything for me it is staying on the field, being on the field, making plays,” he said. “I’ve just been feeling the momentum. Our team, we have the momentum. We now have to finish this run.”
After not practicing Tuesday and Wednesday, Lestage took limited repetitions at the end of the practice Thursday. He has been marked as available on the Alouettes’ injury report.
The outlook is less positive for Johnson, who is recovering from a shoulder injury that occurred in the last game of the regular season. He worked with the therapists on Thursday and didn’t have his helmet on at any moment during the practice, receiving a doubtful designation for Saturday.
“I don’t know yet if I’ll play yet,” he told 3DownNation with a little laugh. “I do feel a lot better. Things are healing well, I just have to take care of my body and go day-by-day.”
Johnson played only seven games this season after suffering an injury in late 2024. His impact has been felt on the field with two sacks and nine defensive tackles, and the Aurora, Col. product only wants to stay healthy.
“It’s extremely frustrating, especially when it happens” he said. “That’s part of the game, it is what is. I just gotta keep my head up and be there for the guys.”
The Montreal Alouettes (11-8) will visit the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (11-7) in the East Final at Hamilton Stadium on Saturday, November 8, with kickoff slated for 3:00 p.m. EDT..
The weather forecast in Montreal calls for a high of 7 degrees with a mix of sun and cloud.
