OL Pier-Olivier Lestage back, DL Mustafa Johnson game-time decision for Montreal Alouettes in 112th Grey Cup

The Montreal Alouettes could have arguably their top player on both sides of the line of scrimmage back in action for the 112th Grey Cup.

Offensive lineman Pier-Olivier Lestage, who was a late scratch last week with a neck injury, and defensive tackle Mustafa Johnson, who missed the East Final with a shoulder injury, are both listed as starters on the depth chart.

Johnson remains a game-time decision after being limited in Thursday’s practice. The 27-year-old has made nine tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble in seven games played this season due to injury, but was a key piece to Montreal’s Grey Cup victory in 2023. Through 48 career games, he has amassed 105 defensive tackles and 17 sacks.

Lestage was selected by the Alouettes in the second round of the 2021 CFL Draft and has been the team’s most consistent blocker for the past several seasons at left guard. He was an East Division All-CFL selection for the first time in 2025.

The Alouettes will not have returner James Letcher Jr. in the lineup after he was limited the past two days due to a lower leg injury. Running back Travis Theis is expected to handle those duties, while veteran receiver Alexander Hollins has been added as insurance.

Also out are American offensive lineman Des Holmes, who started last week in place of Lestage, and Canadian receiver Hakeem Harris.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders (13-6) and Montreal Alouettes (12-8) will meet in the 112th Grey Cup at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg on Sunday, November 16, with kickoff scheduled for 6:00 p.m. EST.

The Alouettes defeated the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the East Final by a score of 19-16, while the Roughriders came back to defeat the B.C. Lions in the West Final by a score of 24-21. The teams split their two regular-season meetings, though Montreal franchise quarterback Davis Alexander missed both games due to a hamstring injury.

The weather forecast in Winnipeg calls for a high of two degrees with a mix of sun and cloud. The game will be broadcast on TSN, CTV, and RDS in Canada, CBS Sports Network in the United States, and CFL+ internationally.

This marks the fifth time the Grey Cup will be played in Winnipeg and the second time it will be hosted at Princess Auto Stadium. The venue’s first Grey Cup was held in 2015 when the Edmonton Football Team defeated the Ottawa Redblacks by a score of 26-20, and Michael Reilly was named the game’s Most Valuable Player.

Graphic courtesy: Montreal Alouettes