Alouettes DB Tommie Campbell scratched for not buckling chin strap at practice, Montreal plays one man short

Montreal’s best defensive back Tommie Campbell did not suit up for the Alouettes on Saturday night in Ottawa.

Mike Sherman just told me during an interview that Tommie Campbell was a scratch for personal reasons. Sherman wouldn’t give any details. Brandon Dozier will replace Campbell. #Alouettes @CFL

— Didier Orméjuste 🇭🇹 (@DidierRDS) August 12, 2018

While both GM Kavis Reed and head coach Mike Sherman claimed @Tommie_Campbell was scratched tonight for personal reasons, I was told post-game, by a source, it was because he refused to buckle his chinstrap during a practice, buckling only one strap

— Herb Zurkowsky (@HerbZurkowsky1) August 12, 2018

Campbell had started the Als’ first seven games of the season making 15 tackles and one interception.

The Alouettes are also playing a man down.

Nicolas Boulay suffered a calf injury during the warmup and won’t play. The Als will play with only 43 players and not 44. @CFL https://t.co/H3EfXWmbHQ

— Didier Orméjuste 🇭🇹 (@DidierRDS) August 12, 2018

Back to the former Stampeders cover man, Campbell did not allow a touchdown during the entire 2017 regular season, yet he was left off the CFL all-star team. He was part of a secondary that was the toughest to pass against league-wide in 2017. Campbell played in 35 games for the Stamps providing lockdown coverage at the boundary corner spot. He recorded 108 tackles and five interceptions over two seasons in Calgary.

Originally drafted by Tennessee in 2011, seventh round, 251st overall, Campbell made 37 tackles, recovered one fumble and forced another and he has a 65-yard punt return touchdown to his credit. The 30-year-old’s combination of size – six-foot-three, 203 pounds – and speed (4.31-second 40-yard dash) coming out of California University of Pennsylvania are rare.

Leaving Campbell out of the lineup is going to raise questions in Montreal.