Montreal Alouettes missing top cornerback Lorenzo Burns for finale with Bombers

The Montreal Alouettes are electing to play all their starters for Saturday’s regular-season finale against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers regardless of the playoff implications, but will still be missing a few key contributors.

Chief among the absences is cornerback Lorenzo Burns, who entered this week as the second-highest graded player at the position according to ProFootballFocus, behind only teammate Kabion Ento. The 28-year-old has recorded 66 defensive tackles, three special teams tackles, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles this year, but did not practice this week due to reasons that were not injury-related. Dionte Ruffin will step in to fill the boundary corner in his absence, with Robert Kennedy III dressing as insurance.

Also out this week are starting right guard Donald Ventrelli (ankle) and Canadian fullback David Dallaire (knee). Des Holmes, who has previously started games at right tackle, will step in at guard, while Jacob Mason will see increased minutes in place of Dallaire. Linebacker Riley MacLeod will dress to fulfill ratio requirements.

Running back Tiyon Evans will also suit up this week as a backup behind Stevie Scott III. Eno Benjamin, who has filled that role for several weeks, has been released.

The Montreal Alouettes (10-7) will visit the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (9-8) on Saturday, October 25 with kickoff slated for 3:00 p.m. EDT. The Alouettes are coming off back-to-back wins over the Ottawa Redblacks, while the Blue Bombers got an ugly win over the depleted Saskatchewan Roughriders.

The weather forecast in Winnipeg calls for a high of 16 degrees with sunny conditions. The game will be broadcast on TSN, RDS, and CTV in Canada and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune in on TSN 690 in Montreal and 680 CJOB in Winnipeg.

Graphic courtesy: Montreal Alouettes