Alouettes QB Fajardo practises sparingly, standing for Friday night time vs. Riders stays unsure

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We’d not know till Friday night whether or not Alouettes beginning quarterback Cody Fajardo is wholesome sufficient to play in opposition to Saskatchewan.

Fajardo practised on Wednesday — at some point after being saved off the sector — and, whereas he took the opening set of starter reps and accomplished an extended ball to receiver Hergy Mayala, he by no means took one other snap. As a substitute, it was backups Caleb Evans and Davis Alexander, in that order, who labored with the beginning offence.

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Fajardo, one of many few CFL quarterbacks who has remained wholesome this season, suffered an damage to his left shoulder/pectoral space throughout Saturday’s victory at Hamilton, however managed to finish the sport. He wasn’t made accessible to the media on Wednesday. A workforce official mentioned he had a health care provider’s appointment.

In different phrases, the plot thickens. And Als head coach Jason Maas is simply too savvy to tip his hand.

“We’re getting ready to play with Cody, and the opposite two guys must get able to play as effectively,” Maas mentioned. “Any time throughout a season there are going to be occasions when gamers aren’t absolutely able to practising or ending a apply or ensuring they will take all of the reps in apply due to bumps and bruises. That is a kind of occasions.

“We don’t give our backups many reps anyhow. It’s a pleasant payback to these guys to verify they’re prepared and ready.”

Maas admitted, ought to or not it’s prudent to relaxation Fajardo for his long-term well being and the workforce’s success, that might be a consideration. However Fajardo proved his mettle in opposition to the Tiger-Cats, if not final season whereas enjoying regardless of MCL ligament injury in his left knee. And the Roughriders are his former workforce, Fajardo having spent 4 seasons there.

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“When the participant desires to play — and in Cody’s case he desires to play — so long as he can go on the market and do it, that’s what we’re absolutely ready to do. Any plan requires a contingency. I don’t prefer to name our backups contingency plans, however they’re all the time able to play. That would be the case this week as effectively.

“As a result of it’s his former workforce isn’t the rationale Cody desires to play. I don’t assume Cody ever desires to overlook a recreation or apply. I’ve been round him three years. I can’t keep in mind a time he ever missed a apply with the whole lot he has performed with and thru. He’s a competitor and needs to compete.”

The Als signed Evans as a free agent this season after dropping Dominique Davis to B.C. in free company. Whereas Evans primarily has been utilized in short-yardage conditions with Montreal, he began 13 video games for Ottawa over two seasons. He had 2,580 profession passing yards with the Redblacks together with 9 touchdowns, however has been intercepted 16 occasions. He has but to aim a go for the Als.

Alexander, in his second season, performed the ultimate half of Montreal’s 2022 regular-season finale at Toronto. He accomplished eight of 13 passes for 89 yards whereas being intercepted as soon as.

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In the meantime, whereas tailback William Stanback was on the sector together with his helmet Wednesday, Walter Fletcher and Canadian Jeshrun Antwi took all of the reps. Stanback’s undoubtedly hurting after speeding for 106 yards in opposition to Hamilton, but Maas stays optimistic he’ll play.

Fletcher is nice sufficient to begin for any CFL workforce, and gained 486 yards on 85 carries final season in 14 video games, together with six begins. He added 29 receptions for 353 yards, scoring two mixed touchdowns. However he has dressed solely as soon as this season, in opposition to Winnipeg, restricted to 2 carries for 11 yards.

The Als have protected their curiosity in Fletcher by placing him on the one-game injured checklist each week, realizing he can be uncovered on the apply roster, free to hitch a workforce that claimed him. Fletcher, in flip, has remained affected person, denying any commerce request has been made.

In different information, defensive-tackle Almondo Sewell (hip) hasn’t practised this week. Potential replacements embrace Israel Antwine and Marcus Valdez from the apply roster.

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