Harm to Ellingson opens the door for Alouettes' rookie receiver Abram

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Though he graduated with a level in accounting from Kent State, Alouettes rookie receiver Keshunn Abram has his taxes accomplished by his mom.

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She’s an accountant, too, only one with extra expertise.

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And whereas accountants are sometimes typecast as boring and stodgy, Abram hopes the quick numbers he produces are on the sphere, beginning Saturday night time, when the Als launch their common season at house in opposition to the Ottawa Redblacks.

The 6-foot-1, 194-pound Abram can be considered one of Montreal’s beginning receivers, changing the injured Greg Ellingson, who continues being sidelined with knee and hip accidents that may maintain him inactive indefinitely. Ellingson, signed as a free agent from Winnipeg, already has missed each of the Als’ exhibition video games and is shortly eradicating himself from the crew’s plans, regardless of being counted on to switch Eugene Lewis, now with Edmonton.

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“I really feel prefer it’s an amazing alternative,” Abram stated following Wednesday’s 90-minute follow at Molson Stadium. “I really feel like I can take full benefit of the chance. It’s a blessing for me to have this chance. I really feel like … I’m going to go on the market and carry out to the very best of my talents.”

Abram, solely 24, is a part of a younger Als receiving corps following the loss in free company of Lewis and Jake Wieneke. Abram will crew up with fellow rookie Austin Mack and Cole Spieker, who dressed for less than three video games final season, together with the East Division remaining at Toronto, together with returning Canadians Kaion Julien-Grant and Hergy Mayala.

Canadian Tyson Philpot, the division’s excellent rookie in 2022, additionally begins the season on the injured record.

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“Any time a man … you signed and hoped can be accessible for you … I don’t know if involved is the suitable phrase,” head coach Jason Maas stated of Ellingson. “We’re enjoying with the fellows which are accessible. For (Ellingson) he’s received a job to do, getting more healthy and changing into accessible so we will make a correct resolution of what’s greatest for our crew at that time.

“After three weeks of coaching camp (quarterback) Cody (Fajardo) has gotten numerous work with the younger receivers. That’s who we now have accessible to us proper now. We’re going to attempt to take advantage of that, and it’s an amazing alternative for these guys. I hope we go on the market and so they present the power we’ve seen all through camp.”

After launching his collegiate profession at Northwest Missouri Group Faculty, Abram transferred to Kent State, changing into one of many Golden Flashes’ high receivers in 2021. He was second on the crew that season, catching 47 passes for 699 yards whereas scoring three touchdowns.

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Abram was considered one of 5 unrestricted free brokers signed by the New York Jets in Could 2022 and, regardless of reportedly having a robust pre-season, was launched. He signed with the Als in late January. He’s thought of to have an intriguing talent set.

“Throughout camp he was a kind of guys … he didn’t stand out right here and there, with a flash play right here or a flash play there,” Maas admitted. “However what he was for us, as coaches, was constant. All of the little particulars we ask guys to be about, he was. We put him in troublesome positions and had him transfer round. He was in a position to do this. He positively has a talent set to be right here. The flexibility is there, he has nice velocity and runs actually good routes. He was dependable for us at camp.”

Whereas coaches have their causes for selections made, Abram hardly stood out final Friday, in opposition to Hamilton, restricted to 1 five-yard reception. That paled compared to Quartney Davis, who had 4 catches for 56 yards — together with considered one of 34 yards — however begins the season on the follow roster.

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Time finally will dictate the prudence of that transfer. However whether or not it was Abram or Davis, the expertise issue wouldn’t have been altered.

“Each single nice receiver on this league was a rookie sooner or later,” Maas stated. “It simply occurs we now have much more than ordinary on our roster. It’s thrilling. I take a look at it extra as a possibility and pleasure. We’ve seen the power every single day in follow. They’re right here for a motive. Skilled soccer’s not straightforward. Total we’re very enthusiastic about these guys.”

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