The Montreal Alouettes are getting a huge boost to their defensive secondary ahead of Friday’s matchup with the Toronto Argonauts.
Veteran halfback Ciante Evans is scheduled to return to the starting lineup after missing the past two games with a leg injury. Despite his absence, the 30-year-old remains in a three-way tie as the league leader in interceptions, with three picks and four defensive tackles in two games.
Evans has suited up in 89 career games over eight seasons in the CFL, amassing 229 tackles, 17 interceptions and three forced fumbles. He began his career with the Calgary Stampeders and was named a CFL all-star in 2017 before joining the Alouettes in 2019. He departed for Hamilton following the cancelled 2020 season and played two seasons with the Tiger-Cats, before returning to Montreal this offseason.
To accommodate Evans’ return, Dionte Ruffin will move back to his natural cornerback position and rookie Kordell Rodgers, who collected seven tackle and one interception in two appearances, has been placed on the practice roster.
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The rest of Montreal’s roster remains unchanged following their Week 5 loss to the B.C. Lions, with running back Walter Fletcher again serving as a healthy scratch. They will be playing on just four days of rest.
The Alouettes have been plagued by protection issues in front of quarterback Cody Fajardo and are currently on pace to surrender 99 sacks on the season. However, the team is highlighted by a pair of talented receivers, as rookie Austin Mack leads the CFL with 388 yards in four games and Canadian Kaion Julien-Grant sits third with 351.
The Alouettes (2-2) will host the Argonauts (3-0) on Friday, July 14 at 7:30 p.m. EDT. They are currently [metabet_core_dynamic_odds market=”spread-home” query=”531025″ site_id=”3downnation”] point underdogs.
Photo courtesy: Montreal Alouettes
