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Montreal Alouettes missing All-CFL DB Marc-Antoine Dequoy, OL Justin Lawrence against Elks
By 3Down Staff -August 7, 2025
The Montreal Alouettes have lost two more key Canadian starters ahead of Friday's clash with the Edmonton Elks.
Two-time All-CFL safety Marc-Antoine Dequoy (shoulder) and centre Justin Lawrence (knee) have both been placed on the one-game injured list after being unable to practice this week. Through the first eight games of the season, Dequoy has recorded 16 defensive tackles, three special teams tackles, and a sack, while Lawrence has allowed nine pressures and received a total PFF grade of 53.6.
Defensively, cornerback Kabion Ento (calf) will also remain out after being a late scratch last week, while halfback Dionte Ruffin (adductor) has been added to the six-game injured list. That has led to a shuffle in the secondary, with Arthur Hamlin stepping up at safety, rookie Robert Kennedy playing field halfback, and the recently acquired Ciante Evans suiting up at field corner. Veteran Najee Murray returns to his regular strong-side linebacker spot after a one-week absence, and rookie Don Callis will dress for insurance.
Canadian defensive lineman Josh Archibald will make his return to the lineup, while fellow homegrown pass rusher Philippe Lemieux-Cardinal dresses for the second time in his career. American linebacker K.D. Davis (shoulder) has gone on the one-game injured list.
Offensively, Cyrille Hogan-Saindon will step in at centre for Lawrence with no other changes. Returner TyJon Lindsey has been demoted back to the practice roster, with Travis Theis and Tyler Snead expected to split those duties.
The Montreal Alouettes (5-3) will host the Edmonton Elks (1-6) on Friday, August 8, with kickoff slated for 7:30 p.m. EDT. The Elks are coming off a 28-24 loss to Hamilton, while the Alouettes were blown out by the Roughriders by a score of 34-6.
The weather forecast in Montreal calls for a high of 28 degrees with a 30 percent chance of showers. The game will be broadcast on TSN and RDS in Canada and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune in on 880 CHED in Edmonton and TSN 690 in Montreal.
https://3downnation.com/2025/08/07/montreal-alouettes-missing-all-cfl-db-marc-antoine-dequoy-ol-justin-lawrence-against-elks/
Edmonton Elks field unaltered lineup for QB Cody Fajardo's return to Montreal
By 3Down Staff -August 7, 2025
The Edmonton Elks have made no changes to their roster ahead of Friday's clash with the Montreal Alouettes, providing continuity ahead of this season's most anticipated revenge game.
Quarterback Cody Fajardo will be returning to Montreal for the first time since he was traded away this offseason. The man he was swapped for, McLeod Bethel-Thompson, will also be starting for the Alouettes, despite both players being acquired as backups.
Fajardo became expendable after a hamstring injury last season allowed youngster Davis Alexander to prove he was ready to be a franchise pivot. Ironically, Alexander is now out for the second time with a hamstring issue, while his predecessor has leapfrogged Tre Ford as the starter in Edmonton.
The 33-year-old spent two seasons with the Alouettes following his departure from Saskatchewan, leading the team to an unlikely Grey Cup victory in 2023. Fajardo was named the MVP of that game and followed it up by helping the team to the best regular-season record in the CFL in 2024. All told, he posted a 16-12-1 record at the helm for Montreal, throwing for 6,967 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 19 interceptions.
In two games since taking over with the Elks, Fajardo has completed 55-of-69 passes (79.7 percent) for 710 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception. However, he has yet to record a victory.
Remaining on the one-game injured list for the Elks this week are Canadian safety Royce Metchie (ankle) and Global linebacker Eteva Mauga-Clements (knee). Players on the six-game injured list include Canadian tight end Skyler Griffith, Canadian receiver Zach Mathis, Canadian defensive lineman Noah Curtis, American defensive lineman Tomari Fox, American linebacker Nick Anderson, American defensive back Devodric Bynum, and Canadian linebackers Michael Brodrique and Olivier Muembi.
The Edmonton Elks (1-6) will visit the Montreal Alouettes (5-3) on Friday, August 8, with kickoff slated for 7:30 p.m. EDT. The Elks are coming off a 28-24 loss to Hamilton, while the Alouettes were blown out by the Roughriders by a score of 34-6.
The weather forecast in Montreal calls for a high of 28 degrees with a 30 percent chance of showers. The game will be broadcast on TSN and RDS in Canada and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune in on 880 CHED in Edmonton and TSN 690 in Montreal.
https://3downnation.com/2025/08/07/edmonton-elks-field-unaltered-lineup-for-qb-cody-fajardos-return-to-montreal/
Does anyone care there is this Game tonight?
These friggin air horns are back? Annoying as hell again.
Elks receivers drop more balls than any team in the league
nice return, Mtrl seems to replace injured players midseason better than any other team. We seem to struggle with that
Quote from: Pete on Today at 12:11:53 AMElks receivers drop more balls than any team in the league
They are really bad. I thought our recieving corps was bad, the Elks are horrible. Watching this game, I see why they are 1-6!!! Their O line is probably the worst in the league.
Zema really gives his team an advantage with those punts
Is it just me or every game the league puts Luke McPunchableface to the game stinks. He irradiates stench maybe?
Quote from: dd on Today at 12:28:40 AMThey are really bad. I thought our recieving corps was bad, the Elks are horrible. Watching this game, I see why they are 1-6!!! Their O line is probably the worst in the league.
Come on man. The passes that are actually catchable from our sub par QBs are actually caught. I think our WRs do a good job in the wake of our crappy QBs.
My god Swiss cheese OL for EEs. Is it scheme or galant. Meh BOTH!
Quote from: GOLDMEMBER on Today at 12:35:51 AMIs it just me or every game the league puts Luke McPunchableface to the game stinks. He irradiates stench maybe?
He only does Friday games and it seems like Edmonton plays alot of those nights.
Quote from: gobombersgo on Today at 12:46:16 AMHe only does Friday games and it seems like Edmonton plays alot of those nights.
;) makes sense.
"Trust your eyes"
- Lapo
:D
MBT LMAO
What a dip ****.
T Ford. NOICE.
why dont the elks put in a pkg for Ford to run, just to change up the tempo
Quote from: GOLDMEMBER on Today at 01:12:02 AMMBT LMAO
What a dip ****.
T Ford. NOICE.
I couldn't agree more. I wondered how much of MBT Jason Maas would be able to stomach. I guess the answer was, 1/2.
Quote from: GOLDMEMBER on August 08, 2025, 11:20:15 PMDoes anyone care there is this Game tonight?
Only insomuch as stuff always happens in a game like injuries.
There's always entertainment value in watching Fajardo perform his drama queen routine such as if a receiver drops one of his passes.
Elks offence is similar to Bombers.
Quote from: markf on Today at 02:11:57 AMElks offence is similar to Bombers.
ya, both are hard to watch!!!
Ok, how do you let Theis get a punt return TD on you. Just how?
The dude is not a returner type. 5'11 215 and built like a running back with all the weight on his legs. He's not even fast!
The last couple of waves of EDM going after him were like all DL and LB meaty sized guys. Where are the ST specialist-sized guys that can actually catch this slowpoke?
And Killam is supposed to be the ST specialist genius!! Shameful display of coverage by EDM.
Quote from: GOLDMEMBER on Today at 01:12:02 AMT Ford. NOICE.
Ya, nice to see Tyrell finally doing something in EDM. Hervey finally getting something for his money. He sure bobbled enough times on that pick six though!
Tre Ford would have lost that game 20 times out of 20.
I'm only at halftime on the PVR (was out). But holy jeez whoever is playcalling for EDM should be bleeped. MTL's DL is unhurt, LB corps unhurt. Why are you trying to run against probably the best front-7, especially on 1st down and on 2nd & short?
Who's missing for MTL? Dequoy, Ento. So chuck mid/deep shots to the field side all night! Just keep taking shots. The whole field + FS is weak / noob (or has-been).
If EDM insists on running up the gut they'll lose. And we better take note when we face them too.
Quote from: TecnoGenius on Today at 02:32:16 AMOk, how do you let Theis get a punt return TD on you. Just how?
The dude is not a returner type. 5'11 215 and built like a running back with all the weight on his legs. He's not even fast!
The last couple of waves of EDM going after him were like all DL and LB meaty sized guys. Where are the ST specialist-sized guys that can actually catch this slowpoke?
And Killam is supposed to be the ST specialist genius!! Shameful display of coverage by EDM.
When you watch the replay, look at the egregious hold #97 puts on #24 of edmonton, THAT'S how they got the punt return TD. The guys held him for 10 yds at the point of attack, if there's o hold there's no way the guy gets sprung. It's horrible when the refs miss such a pivotal and egregious hold, it's the only thing that kept the Law in the gzme.
Absolute divine justice fajardo beats the Als. In what world does it make sense to swap fajardo for MBT?!? Dumb dumb play by MBT to throw a pick six when all you had to do run the ball, kick the field goal go up by 2 scores going into.the half. We ragged on Strev last week, this play call and play was much worse. Good on ya maas!!
Quote from: dd on Today at 02:46:09 AMWhen you watch the replay, look at the egregious hold #97 puts on #24 of edmonton, THAT'S how they got the punt return TD. The guys held him for 10 yds at the point of attack, if there's o hold there's no way the guy gets sprung. It's horrible when the refs miss such a pivotal and egregious hold, it's the only thing that kept the Law in the gzme.
Absolute divine justice fajardo beats the Als. In what world does it make sense to swap fajardo for MBT?!? Dumb dumb play by MBT to throw a pick six when all you had to do run the ball, kick the field goal go up by 2 scores going into.the half. We ragged on Strev last week, this play call and play was much worse. Good on ya maas!!
Fajardo didn't impress until the very last drive of the game, then all of a sudden he did it again! Caleb Evans looked more than respectable, moved well and threw a nice ball, also seemed to understand what he was seeing. Als will dump MBT before they let him get away.
Elks D coming around, by labour Day they should be the backbone of the team.
2 games with exciting finishes so far this week.
Cody cody cody, at 1Q4:20 Cody takes the snap and backpedals like 15Y for a big pass. Ya, when you back up that far you need to make sure you don't take a sack. You chuck the ball away if the protection breaks down.
So what does Cody do? He turtles for a sack
Quote from: dd on Today at 02:46:09 AMAbsolute divine justice fajardo beats the Als. In what world does it make sense to swap fajardo for MBT?!? Dumb dumb play by MBT to throw a pick six when all you had to do run the ball, kick the field goal go up by 2 scores going into.the half. We ragged on Strev last week, this play call and play was much worse. Good on ya maas!!
I was thinking exactly the same thing. Only way it could have been better would be in a playoff/Grey Cup game.
I'll be surprised if MBT still has a job in the morning. Maas has to have steam pouring out his ears over that pick-6! LOL!
Can you imagine the locker room conversation between Maas and MBT at the half? Woo hoo! I'd love to have been a fly on the wall for that one. Bad enough he missed a wide open receiver in the end zone the previous play but to follow it up with that pick-6, well.
Good for Kilim and the EEs
Als can go toot their stupid horns.
Quote from: GOLDMEMBER on Today at 03:40:32 AMAls can go toot their stupid horns.
Saw them later in the game: it's like mini vuvuzelas. Legal, as they're mouth-blown. Still, enough of them and it starts to sound like the 200x (whatever) World Cup (i.e. annoying as hell).
ToldEDMso. You ain't running against that MTL front 7. You ain't doing short game either. Whoever is calling plays there listened to me and they won on the mid/deep middle passes and freebie wide outs.
MTL without Ento/Dequoy is just awful on the field side and FS. Just attack them all night. They're worse than having 3 Bridges.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on Today at 03:01:44 AMFajardo didn't impress until the very last drive of the game, then all of a sudden he did it again! Caleb Evans looked more than respectable, moved well and threw a nice ball, also seemed to understand what he was seeing. Als will dump MBT before they let him get away.
Ya, Cody no goode, but he sure does well under 3-down pressure. Just like in the GC. He's sure odd that way. Garbage until the real pressure is on. Some people are like that.
EDM should find a way to make him feel "under pressure" the whole game! ;D
Ya, and Caleb improved, but like Lapo says, his forte is the short game and timing game. As a starter he might/will struggle as everyone will move up close to the line to force him to throw deep. He's like a Strev, but one who has a super short game.
Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on Today at 02:35:04 AMTre Ford would have lost that game 20 times out of 20.
This is a true thing.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on Today at 03:01:44 AMAls will dump MBT before they let him get away.
MBT is just a placeholder. They thought the GC pedigree counted for something.
As for forcing Cody out and getting MBT:
a) MBT way cheaper than Cody.
b) When you switch to the Wunderkind QB you have to make a clean break with the old guy; it just won't work psychologically taking your GC-winning guy and making him #2. That's how you get the mess BC had last season where half the locker room supported VAJ, half Rourke.
Quote from: dd on Today at 02:46:09 AMWhen you watch the replay, look at the egregious hold #97 puts on #24 of edmonton, THAT'S how they got the punt return TD. The guys held him for 10 yds at the point of attack
A bunch of that hold though the MTL guy is staying between #24 and the carrier. That's ok, even if you're molesting the jersey.
However, the extra hold right at the end as the carrier passes and especially the final takedown-to-the-turf is egregious holding. That should have been called, irrespective of what transpired before that.
The EDM guy could have done better by forcing him & his holder out to the rail. You have to force the returner back inside.
And I maintain those coverage guys who actually got in on the play were way too big / slow for the job. You need nimble light guys like Mike Miller. Not plodders.
You know what's most amazing? That EDM can look completely hopeless and awful and doomed and useless and loser-y and sucky and dumpster and... and then come back to win the game in the 4th.
Ya, MTL didn't look great, but they were moving the ball all game.
Hand it to EDM, the OC made HT adjustments (like dropping the gut run) and found a way.
Boy, it's been like 2.5 seasons since we made half time adjustments that actually helped...
Quote from: J5V on Today at 03:36:48 AMI was thinking exactly the same thing. Only way it could have been better would be in a playoff/Grey Cup game.
I'll be surprised if MBT still has a job in the morning. Maas has to have steam pouring out his ears over that pick-6! LOL!
Can you imagine the locker room conversation between Maas and MBT at the half? Woo hoo! I'd love to have been a fly on the wall for that one. Bad enough he missed a wide open receiver in the end zone the previous play but to follow it up with that pick-6, well.
MBT suffers from tunnel vision not unlike Zach right now.
Cody'd post game comment was perfection:
"We got a good team, we've been close...I keep telling the boys, you know what losers say? We're close"
Good for Cody! He's a true competitor. I'd sure love him on my team. He's got fire inside of him.. need some of that around here. ZC and Cody...for a GC run... one can dream. Don't come at me.. I'm just dreaming :)
Quote from: TecnoGenius on Today at 04:07:09 AMYou know what's most amazing? That EDM can look completely hopeless and awful and doomed and useless and loser-y and sucky and dumpster and... and then come back to win the game in the 4th.
Ya, MTL didn't look great, but they were moving the ball all game.
Hand it to EDM, the OC made HT adjustments (like dropping the gut run) and found a way.
Boy, it's been like 2.5 seasons since we made half time adjustments that actually helped...
Edmonton reminds me a lot of Winnipeg just after O'Shea joined.
They're a talented team and they're fighting hard. It's just that they don't know how to win, losing is usual, and the switch doesn't just flip. Tre Ford to Cody Fajardo is probably the rough equivalent of going from Alex Brink to Matt Nichols. He'll win them games. If you were to plug Vernon Adams (or 2019 Collaros) into that roster I think they'd be an incredibly tough out once they got rolling.
The Elks didn't win so much as Montreal gave it away. That pick 6 was horrible, so was the fumbled FG return. Those 2 plays gave Edm 14 points, 17 if you include the FG that the pick 6 took away.
Quote from: Jesse on Today at 01:04:07 PMCody'd post game comment was perfection:
"We got a good team, we've been close...I keep telling the boys, you know what losers say? We're close"
Replacing Cody with Bethel Thompson was a blunder. I'm enjoying watching the result.
Quote from: markf on Today at 01:50:27 PMReplacing Cody with Bethel Thompson was a blunder. I'm enjoying watching the result.
Teams don't plan around losing their # 1 QB to multiple injuries and going on 6 game IR. There was an SMS savings involved as well as FAJ wanting a better chance to be the # 1.
Quote from: Blue In BC on Today at 02:40:43 PMTeams don't plan around losing their # 1 QB
they have to plan for that, since it happens all the time. Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Wpg, Stamps, all had it this season.
Quote from: markf on Today at 02:56:12 PMthey have to plan for that, since it happens all the time. Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Wpg, Stamps, all had it this season.
Teams plan to have a # 2 QB that fits into the budget plan for their SMS. They don't plan to spend $300K for a # 2 QB as an example.
IDK what Fajardo earns but MBT is earning less and he's not expecting to become the # 1 starter unless their is an injury.
Quote from: Jesse on Today at 01:04:07 PMCody'd post game comment was perfection:
"We got a good team, we've been close...I keep telling the boys, you know what losers say? We're close"
Can you imagine having to listen to that tool "lead" your team? Good gravy!
Quote from: TBURGESS on Today at 01:39:54 PMThe Elks didn't win so much as Montreal gave it away. That pick 6 was horrible, so was the fumbled FG return. Those 2 plays gave Edm 14 points, 17 if you include the FG that the pick 6 took away.
Don't forget the 7 points MBT left on the field when he missed the wide open receiver in the end zone on the play preceding the pick-6. That's a 14-point swing right there.