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Official: Davis Alexander, Austin Mack return for Montreal Alouettes
By 3Down Staff -July 16, 2025
The Montreal Alouettes will have franchise quarterback Davis Alexander and star receiver Austin Mack back in the lineup when they take on the Toronto Argonauts on Thursday. Both players missed the team's last two games due to hamstring injuries.
Alexander led Montreal to three straight wins to start the season, throwing for 803 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions. The 26-year-old native of Gig Harbor, Wash. remains undefeated as a CFL starter, compiling a perfect 7-0 record.
Mack made 12 receptions for 185 yards over Montreal first three games. The 27-year-old native of Fort Wayne, Ind. was named All-CFL in his first season with the Alouettes in 2023 when he caught 78 passes for 1,154 yards and four touchdowns.
Nick Callender has also returned after missing the team's last four games due to a foot injury. The six-foot-six, 321-pound blocker will start at left tackle, replacing Des Holmes.
The Alouettes have also made a change to their defence as veteran defensive back Najee Murray will start at strong-side linebacker. Tiawan Mullen, a rookie out of Indiana University, started the team's first five games there but was released earlier this week. Murray, who previously started at field-side halfback, will be replaced by rookie Robert Kennedy, a rookie out of North Carolina State.
The Montreal Alouettes (3-2) will host the Toronto Argonauts (1-4) at Percival Molson Stadium on Thursday, July 17 with kickoff slated for 7:30 p.m. EDT. Both teams were on byes this past week, giving them a chance to rest up.
The weather forecast calls for a high of 29 degrees and a 70 percent chance of showers, including a risk of a thunderstorm. The game will be broadcast on TSN and RDS in Canada, CBS Sports Network in the United States, and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune-in on TSN 1050 in Toronto and TSN 690 in Montreal.
https://3downnation.com/2025/07/16/official-davis-alexander-austin-mack-return-for-montreal-alouettes/
Wynton McManis in, Chad Kelly still out for Toronto Argonauts
By 3Down Staff -July 16, 2025
The Toronto Argonauts will get star linebacker Wynton McManis back in the lineup on Thursday night when the team visits the Montreal Alouettes.
The six-foot, 230-pound defender missed the team's last three games due to a knee injury. He recorded 10 defensive tackles and one sack over Toronto's first two games of the year starting at middle linebacker.
The 30-year-old native of Memphis, Tenn. is in his fourth season with the Argonauts having twice been named All-CFL. McManis has won three Grey Cups, including two as a member of the Double Blue.
Kelly has yet to dress for a CFL game since he suffered a fractured right tibia and fibula during last year's East Final against the Montreal Alouettes. Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie previously indicated that Kelly might be back for Week 7 but that didn't come to fruition as Nick Arbuckle will remain the starter.
The 31-year-old passer completed 67.8 percent of his passes for 2,451 yards, 10 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in eight starts last season after missing the first nine games due to suspension. Kelly was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Player in 2023 after throwing for 4,123 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.
Arbuckle has thrown for 1,449 yards, seven touchdowns, and seven interceptions over five starts this season, posting a 1-4 record. He has also rushed 14 times for 61 yards.
The Argonauts will start Canadian offensive lineman Anim Dankwah at right tackle, marking his first career CFL start. The former sixth-round CFL draft pick of out Howard University will replace Ryan Hunter, the league's reigning Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman, who was placed on the six-game injured list after he was reportedly hit by a car.
Veteran offensive lineman Darius Ciraco will return to the lineup following a four-game absence and dress in a depth role behind starting centre Peter Nicastro. Derek Parish will start at defensive end after missing two games with an ankle injury.
The Toronto Argonauts (1-4) will visit the Montreal Alouettes (3-2) at Percival Molson Stadium on Thursday, July 17 with kickoff slated for 7:30 p.m. EDT. Both teams were on byes this past week, giving them a chance to rest up.
The weather forecast calls for a high of 29 degrees and a 70 percent chance of showers, including a risk of a thunderstorm. The game will be broadcast on TSN and RDS in Canada, CBS Sports Network in the United States, and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune-in on TSN 1050 in Toronto and TSN 690 in Montreal.
https://3downnation.com/2025/07/16/wynton-mcmanis-in-chad-kelly-still-out-for-toronto-argonauts/
Too bad it's not another battle of the backups. That would actually be a fair fight between the probably #1 and #2 finishers in the E.
Alexander is going to run roughshod over them.
I can see Dinwiddie being very irritated on the sideline during this one.
I am happy to see Davis Alexander have the success he has had by starting his career with 7 consecutive wins. Mostly it is because Danny McManus is finally getting credit for the 8 & 0 start to his career.
In 2014, when Bo Levi Mitchell 'tied' Jeff Garcia's (*) CFL record with 7 straight wins, Danny McManus was no where to be found on the leaderboard. I asked about McManus but never got a satisfactory response.
I was told after the fact the 'official' CFL records had been updated to include McManus as the leader but it wouldn't become public until another QB challenged the record.
(*)Doug Flutie took the first snap of the 1995 Labour Day game then Jeff Garcia took over at QB. Flutie was scheduled for surgery the following week and it was believed to be Flutie's last game as a Stampeder so they gave him the 'ceremonial' start.
I bet Kelly will be back literally just in time to play us in back to backs. Too bad we'll never get a chance to get GC revenge on Arbuckle (assuming we could pull it off).
Things might be going very south for us very quickly in the standings...
Amazing what a bad QB will do for a team vs good. Arbuckle vs Alexander. It isn't just that the bad ones suck, it's that the Ds show them zero respect and just cheat up on everything to make splash plays.
TOR will be shockingly better when Kelly returns. Just as MTL is shockingly better with Alexander back.
Quote from: TecnoGenius on July 17, 2025, 11:40:00 PMI bet Kelly will be back literally just in time to play us in back to backs. Too bad we'll never get a chance to get GC revenge on Arbuckle (assuming we could pull it off).
Things might be going very south for us very quickly in the standings...
traditionally we really suck against the argos.
suits is doing this game...who is calling the bomber game? rod and duane?
Quote from: The Zipp on July 17, 2025, 11:47:30 PMsuits is doing this game...who is calling the bomber game? rod and duane?
Probably. Forde likes PAS and is always waiting for his Wrath Of Khan outside the 100-level kiosk pre-game. No complaints from me!
That short curl zip ball Alexander jut threw to Rambo is one that we can't do.
And the wide-out hitch, Alexander turns & throws so fast the D can't react. It's probably 1 whole second faster a process than with Zach.
It's clear TOR got the message they need to be faster and more physical & violent. They are 100% full-on on D. Making MTL OL earn their pudding tonight.
It's the smart move. It's like their only hope to beat powerhouse MTL at home. Just beat the heck on MTL every play. Doubt they can keep it up for more than 1.5 Q's.
Strange going for it on 3rd&3. MOS never would in 1st Q. Take the points.
MTL showing they have zero respect for TOR?
Toronto got lucky
Quote from: barbk on July 18, 2025, 12:12:47 AMToronto got lucky
Riderfans already complaining that CFL has double standards, after
not giving them "forward progress stopped" on their fumble last week. ;D
That's one amazing DB play by McFadden. A sure TD.
Quote from: TecnoGenius on July 18, 2025, 12:02:56 AMStrange going for it on 3rd&3. MOS never would in 1st Q. Take the points.
MTL showing they have zero respect for TOR?
kind of in no man's land - if you don't screw it up you should be able to complete that pass to a high %
Quote from: The Zipp on July 18, 2025, 12:20:37 AMkind of in no man's land - if you don't screw it up you should be able to complete that pass to a high %
<Laughs in Bomber>
Quote from: TecnoGenius on July 18, 2025, 12:18:37 AMThat's one amazing DB play by McFadden. A sure TD.
it was a beauty - won't make the top 10 but man it was nice.
TOR is very smart having McMahon very involved. Good runs, and get him the ball in space behind LoS a lot. I think TOR run attack is taking MTL by surprise, after being near zero last game.
I thought air horns were suppose to be banned?
It's 2-3 weeks in a row teams have found chinks in MTL D armor. They aren't invincible like they used to seem. Which is strange because they kept basically every single good player in FA.
We need to study what is working against MTL for when we play them. Lots of good ideas to use.
I noticed that one key is making sure Dequoy is never in the picture on any play. I've noticed a massive lack of Dequoy in these last few games. He's like our FS in his absence ;) ;)
montreal needs to run the ball
Haha, MTL/Alexander looking like us last game.
Quote from: The Zipp on July 18, 2025, 12:35:05 AMmontreal needs to run the ball
3 words: Sean Thomas Erlington. He ain't a world-beater.
But yes, it looks like MTL's whole plan was "Alexander is back and he is Tha God so he'll do it all".
Looks like Dinwiddie spent as much effort at the drawing board for this game as he did for our GC.
Odds makers have now made TOR the favorite to win. Prior to the game MTL was massively expected to win.
Quote from: TecnoGenius on July 18, 2025, 12:35:22 AMHaha, MTL/Alexander looking like us last game.
Nice seeing that goof Noel Thorpe being quite on the sideline.... he is worse than Maas IMO
Quote from: barbk on July 18, 2025, 12:42:14 AMNice seeing that goof Noel Thorpe being quite on the sideline.... he is worse than Maas IMO
Agreed. However, he has come up with probably the best D in the last 3 seasons.
Haha, they called that heel out and not that Alexander TD run last season. LOL
coxie was wiiiiide open - overthrow
So much for Alexander being the next big Qb in the league!! He gets the duster of the week award!! Love it when Montreal loses, especially at horn honking home!! Choke on it!!
Arbuckle sucks. The Argo success is coming from an excellent game plan. It's almost like they know what the Als are going to do. Is Toronto out-coaching Montreal? I think so.
What a gutsy call that was on 3rd down. Nice throw by Alexander and a nice catch by Spieker.
i will go to my grave saying that if we sign Sankey we win the grey cup vs Montreal and maybe more.
we got us a game
Here we go!
Hmmmm....getting really interesting now.
Quote from: Jesse on July 18, 2025, 02:05:08 AMHmmmm....getting really interesting now.
This was said before the bobbled punt, lol.
Not even close for PI
he fumbled
WOW
slykwa is the real deal
montreal defence says "nay nay"
Wow again, lol.
alexander - that was great play
hammy tweaked again
speiker having a rough one - gotta snag that
Oh no!
A RTP call?!?
ento - one of the best this year
Dinwitty fishing
bad clock management by montreal
fun game
davis alexander is the real deal Montreal
Few things better than watching the Argos blow it! Arbuckle sucks.
Quote from: The Zipp on July 18, 2025, 02:29:01 AMfun game
davis alexander is the real deal Montreal
Came up limping again. Hope he's ok.
Arbuckle doesn't suck, he had one of those games that make you wonder, played similar to his GC win last year. For a QB that's never been considered a starter, he's played a lot of football over the years. Wouldn't ever want him as a starter but would be nice to have him as a serious backup option, is it possible he throws a better ball than Zach? Alexander is a beast, no comparison.
Quote from: Jesse on July 18, 2025, 02:35:12 AMCame up limping again. Hope he's ok.
Will be weeks until he is better, likely will be nicked all year
Ya, dumb dumb play by Montreal to bring him back so soon after hamstring injury. As he OC said, if you think you're good to go, wait another week and then go. This game means nothing in the big scheme of things compared to losing Alexander for another month plus.
Unbelievable. The Als have re-signed S. Lemon!!!
Quote from: The Zipp on July 18, 2025, 01:53:44 AMi will go to my grave saying that if we sign Sankey we win the grey cup vs Montreal and maybe more.
Maybe if Biggie had been for-sure for-sure season-ended IR that year we might have brought him in. The wishy-washy injury put us in a bind.
Who ended up playing much of MLB that game? Gauthier? Maruo? Not good enough.
Quote from: Blue In BC on July 18, 2025, 03:02:56 AMUnbelievable. The Als have re-signed S. Lemon!!!
Very believable, lol.
He was seen leaving the facility the day he was reinstated decked out in gear.
He's laughing his a off over this whole betting suspension thing. He got to rest up, work out and come back with revenge on his mind. Will see if he has anything left in his tank or not
Quote from: The Zipp on July 18, 2025, 02:24:48 AMento - one of the best this year
Except that side open REC he left 30Y away in the EZ for a TD earlier...
Quote from: The Zipp on July 18, 2025, 02:15:14 AMslykwa is the real deal
Ya, most rookies "cost you one game". This rookie wins you a game and almost wins you another. He's a weird sort, though. Not really "DB" material. He's a lot of beef. More like a Loffler type. Doesn't look like much but lays the wood.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on July 18, 2025, 02:50:53 AMArbuckle doesn't suck, he had one of those games that make you wonder, played similar to his GC win last year. For a QB that's never been considered a starter, he's played a lot of football over the years. Wouldn't ever want him as a starter but would be nice to have him as a serious backup option
If we didn't have Strev, I would totally be happy with Arbuckle as the #2. He's a great #2 and always has been. What "sucks" about him is he's not an every game starter.
It seems clear that Dinwiddie can draw up plans if given enough time to make Arbuckle look very good (i.e. "win"). But that's Dinwiddie, not Arbuckle.
However, the 2nd half flop by TOR makes me wonder if Dinwiddie can only come up with so much magic in one game, and that we win the last cup had Zach not severed his thumb...
Quote from: dd on July 18, 2025, 02:58:59 AMYa, dumb dumb play by Montreal to bring him back so soon after hamstring injury. As he OC said, if you think you're good to go, wait another week and then go. This game means nothing in the big scheme of things compared to losing Alexander for another month plus.
I think this game is huge for MTL. The season will come down to TOR/MTL. This game may determine who wins the East reg season.
Why? Because this is their chance to beat their main division rival without Kelly. It'll be even harder to beat them when he returns. You need to bank this win now.
MTL now gets
5 West teams in a row! They can afford to be without Alexander for a couple/few of those. Their D should keep them .500.
Wow, Alexander busted a hammy AND chipped a couple of teeth real bad! Goes to show these dudes should be using their "soother", not just chewing on it like they're an Oiler.
P.S. That's a tough repair, that big. Gonna need a grind & cap probably to do it right. Some dentist is happy!
Why did the TOR uniforms have feathers on the shoulders? I thought that was MTL's thing?
Quote from: TecnoGenius on July 18, 2025, 05:27:31 AMWhy did the TOR uniforms have feathers on the shoulders? I thought that was MTL's thing?
They are oars.
Quote from: TecnoGenius on July 18, 2025, 03:57:14 AMWow, Alexander busted a hammy AND chipped a couple of teeth real bad! Goes to show these dudes should be using their "soother", not just chewing on it like they're an Oiler.
P.S. That's a tough repair, that big. Gonna need a grind & cap probably to do it right. Some dentist is happy!
Did I miss Alexander getting injured again?
Quote from: Blue In BC on July 18, 2025, 12:53:19 PMDid I miss Alexander getting injured again?
Blew his hamstring at the end of the game running into the end zone. Stayed in for the 2 point play and then collapsed for dramatic effect afterwards. Proceeded to tell TSN in the post game interview he'd be out a bit. Lol.
Quote from: gobombersgo on July 18, 2025, 05:39:43 AMThey are oars.
The way they are playing they might as well be feathers since they aren't making any progress rowing. :)
Quote from: TecnoGenius on July 18, 2025, 03:49:26 AMI think this game is huge for MTL. The season will come down to TOR/MTL. This game may determine who wins the East reg season.
Why? Because this is their chance to beat their main division rival without Kelly. It'll be even harder to beat them when he returns. You need to bank this win now.
MTL now gets 5 West teams in a row! They can afford to be without Alexander for a couple/few of those. Their D should keep them .500.
I m not sure Alexander comes back from this hamstring injury this year and if that's the case, they're done like dinner. They won't get by Hamilton let alone Toronto, so ya they won the season series vs Toronto, but lost a much bigger piece of the puzzle in the process--Alexander, and without him, the Als are #3 in the east.
Quote from: dd on July 18, 2025, 04:00:34 PMI m not sure Alexander comes back from this hamstring injury this year and if that's the case, they're done like dinner. They won't get by Hamilton let alone Toronto, so ya they won the season series vs Toronto, but lost a much bigger piece of the puzzle in the process--Alexander, and without him, the Als are #3 in the east.
Don't think either team is finished, the Argos and Als both have talented enough backups to remain competitive with most teams, all they have to do is beat out the RB's to make the playoffs, anything can happen after that.
the Bombers play back to back with the Argos in the next few weeks, depending whether Kelly plays those games could go either way. The Als are getting Lemon and maybe Mustafa Johnson back soon as well, that D-line could cause the Bombers enough havoc to throw them off kilter and beat them in a low scoring game, if Cody did it, MBT could do it as well. Both teams have better backup QB's than Wpg does.
Hopefully Alexander isn't finished for 2025. He's a rising star and all CFL fans want to see him play. I may not want to see him play against the Bombers but for non injury reasons.
Quote from: TecnoGenius on July 18, 2025, 03:57:14 AMWow, Alexander busted a hammy AND chipped a couple of teeth real bad! Goes to show these dudes should be using their "soother", not just chewing on it like they're an Oiler.
P.S. That's a tough repair, that big. Gonna need a grind & cap probably to do it right. Some dentist is happy!
Doesn't seem to bother him. He posted this himself.
That's going to be expensive.
here is the condensed version for this very entertaining game
Enjoy
All the plays and replays of the big plays
https://youtu.be/rm9fZPAC_As?si=FyC8OKlRynPmMqoc
Alexander has been moved to the Als 6 game IR. That's not good for him, the Als or the CFL in general.
Quote from: Blue In BC on July 21, 2025, 08:03:48 PMAlexander has been moved to the Als 6 game IR. That's not good for him, the Als or the CFL in general.
I m not going to feel sorry for Montreal, they are in a better place than we are!!