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Julian Howsare set for Montreal Alouettes debut against Riders
Julian Howsare will make his debut for the Montreal Alouettes when they host the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Thanksgiving Monday.
The 34-year-old was acquired via trade from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats last week in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2027 CFL Draft. Montreal also received a seventh-round pick in the deal. Over 15 games this season, Howsare has recorded 32 defensive tackles, one tackle for loss, four sacks, and three pass knockdowns.
Howsare had a career year in 2025 when he was named All-CFL and the East Division's nominee for Most Outstanding Defensive Player. He made 43 defensive tackles, 13 sacks, seven pass knockdowns, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one interception, and one touchdown.
Over 133 career regular-season CFL games as a member of the Tiger-Cats and Calgary Stampeders, Howsare has tallied 271 defensive tackles, six special teams tackles, 49 sacks, 13 pass knockdowns, five forced fumbles, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and one touchdown.
The veteran will wear No. 25 and step directly into the starting lineup, bumping Lwal Uguak back in the rotation. In order to make room, American linebacker Donovan Manuel has been demoted to the practice roster. He has recorded 12 defensive tackles and three special teams tackles in 10 games this year.
On the other side of the ball, Canadian tight end Regis Cibasu has been ruled out with an elbow injury. The 33-year-old has caught two passes for 15 yards this year, while adding three special teams tackles. Canadian linebacker Riley MacLeod will be brought into the lineup to fill in on special teams.
The Montreal Alouettes (12-3) will host the Saskatchewan Roughriders (8-7) on Monday, October 12, with kickoff scheduled for 1:00 p.m. EDT. The Roughriders are coming off an upset loss to the Calgary Stampeders, while the Alouettes crushed the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
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 620 CKRM in Regina and TSN 690 (English) or 99.5 Montreal (French) in Montreal.
https://3downnation.com/2026/10/11/julian-howsare-set-for-montreal-alouettes-debut-against-riders/
Tevaughn Campbell returns amid six Thanksgiving changes for Saskatchewan Roughriders
The Saskatchewan Roughriders will have ratio-breaking cornerback Tevaughn Campbell back in the lineup when they face the Montreal Alouettes on Thanksgiving Monday.
Campbell suffered a forearm injury during the Riders' Week 9 victory over Edmonton. Through seven regular-season games in 2026, he has posted 16 defensive tackles. The six-foot, 195-pound cover man tied for the three-down league lead in interceptions with six after making his return to Canada in 2025 following an extended stint in the NFL.
To make room for Campbell, Malcolm Bell, the team's first-round pick in the 2026 CFL Draft, has been moved to the reserve roster after starting the past two weeks.
The news isn't all positive, however, as team-leading receiver KeeSean Johnson was officially ruled out on Saturday with an ankle injury. He will be replaced in the starting lineup by Shemar Bridges, who has caught three passes for 23 yards in two appearances since signing in Saskatchewan.
Fullback Albert Awachie (quad) will also miss this contest, while left tackle Payton Collins has been listed as a game-time decision with an ankle injury that limited him in the final practice session. Rookie Canadian offensive lineman Erik Andersen draws back onto the roster for insurance.
The Riders are expected to receive a big boost on special teams in this contest, as veteran kicker Brett Lauther will make his debut after being re-acquired at the trade deadline. Dawson Hodge, who was previously handling those duties, has already been released. Return specialist Mathew Sexton is also back in action after suffering what appeared to be a serious lower leg injury in Week 6. He has one punt return touchdown in two games this season.
American defensive end Derick Roberson rounds out the depth additions this week. Defensive lineman Jaylen Pate and running back Quali Conley have been returned to the practice roster in corresponding moves.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders (8-7) will visit the Montreal Alouettes (12-3) on Monday, October 12, with kickoff scheduled for 1:00 p.m. EDT. The Roughriders are coming off an upset loss to the Calgary Stampeders, while the Alouettes crushed the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
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 620 CKRM in Regina and TSN 690 (English) or 99.5 Montreal (French) in Montreal.
https://3downnation.com/2026/10/11/tevaughn-campbell-returns-amid-six-thanksgiving-changes-for-saskatchewan-roughriders/
Haha, ssk gets near full strength mtl. Eat it ssk.
I'm sure mtl will yank Alexander and other stars in the middle, but by then they should be up 3 td.
Mtl doing us a solid!
From the Riders:
Here is the updated Depth Chart for Week 19 at Montreal reflecting the following changes:
#62 Payton Collins (to one-game injured)
#65 Daniel Johnson moves to left tackle
#69 Thomas Perry activated as left guard
Jamie Nye @jamienye
An injury late in the week as Collins was not on the injury report on Thursday or Friday.
He's a quality LT and Daniel Johnson practiced most of the week at LG. New LG, Thomas Perry, got very limited reps with the starters.
The Riders injury luck is non-existent.
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Close game so far, Riders getting good pressure on Alexander.
C'mon Montreal. Play better and beat these guys.
Alexander running too much and taking too many hits, already went into the dressing room for a sip of "juice". Questionable whether he will make it to the end of the season if they refuse to game manage him.
this montreal offense is unreal.
calvillo effect...alexander is very good.
Montreal is a problem.
Davis sure bounces back after big hits. I feel he's playing hurt. I hate how good he is.
I think that moves us into 3rd for the moment. Riders might be closer to missing the playoffs than the Bombers. :)
Quote from: Blue In BC on October 12, 2026, 07:43:05 PMI think that moves us into 3rd for the moment. Riders might be closer to missing the playoffs than the Bombers. :)
When is the last time the GC Champs missed the playoffs the following year? Sorry if this has been answered. I tried to google but got bizarre results.
Quote from: tlf on October 12, 2026, 07:46:50 PMWhen is the last time the GC Champs missed the playoffs the following year? Sorry if this has been answered. I tried to google but got bizarre results.
2018 Toronto Argonauts
Quote from: tlf on October 12, 2026, 07:36:06 PMDavis sure bounces back after big hits. I feel he's playing hurt. I hate how good he is.
Not so sure he is hurt. I love how good he is. This is what the league needs, star power. When you watch even the Bombers play, its a joy imo to see success on the otherside of the ball. Parity and good playoffs across the league is a pillar of its success.
Yes he is extremely durable (hits). Lower body has been the issue.
Standings are updated but still show the Bombers in 4th. I'm not sure that is correct. Regardless, we need to continue winning. Our remaining schedule is not great and it's on the road for both games.
I'm not expecting any teams to be resting players while the standings are still in question. The Ticats and Redblacks will play some PR players but none of the other teams.
When was the last time the west was so tight with 2 games left?
Quote from: tlf on October 12, 2026, 07:36:06 PMDavis sure bounces back after big hits. I feel he's playing hurt. I hate how good he is.
Ya he does, but he has some serious muscle mass for a Qb and I m sure that help him.
I don't hate him for being good, I hate him for being so cocky and somewhat disrespectful out there. As good as this guy is, he couldn't carry Anthony Calvillo's cleats to the field and AC never beaked off and trashed the opponents. I just wish Alexander would show some class and be a good role model for the league, not the heel that he is.
Quote from: Blue In BC on October 12, 2026, 08:58:50 PMStandings are updated but still show the Bombers in 4th. I'm not sure that is correct. Regardless, we need to continue winning. Our remaining schedule is not great and it's on the road for both games.
I'm not expecting any teams to be resting players while the standings are still in question. The Ticats and Redblacks will play some PR players but none of the other teams.
When was the last time the west was so tight with 2 games left?
Tsn had Bombers 3rd, I don't recall a race this tight and with as timely matchups late.
dd has good points about Alexander and his size which agree keeps him on the field. I think that Zach's off season training paid off against Calgary as likely was able to get in the gym a bit again during his break, which might have helped his foot speed and arm (likely rest a big factor too).
Alexander is too cocky, just like Bo was. But Bo did simmer down a bit as most guys do as they age if willing to evolve. I do agree with the roll model part. A massive part of what important with CFL ball.
On the TSN website we are 4th. I assume based on the divisional record at far right.
https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/standings/
Quote from: Waffler on October 12, 2026, 11:09:34 PMOn the TSN website we are 4th. I assume based on the divisional record at far right.
https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/standings/
In a tie with Sask, we definitely win as we won the season series. It's just a simple error.
If you look at theScore app, we're listed as 3rd.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on October 12, 2026, 06:54:44 PMAlexander running too much and taking too many hits, already went into the dressing room for a sip of "juice". Questionable whether he will make it to the end of the season if they refuse to game manage him.
Ya, SSK, unlike us, is smart enough to punish that hammy as much as possible. He's taking way too many hits to the legs, as well as stressing them by scrambling way too much. Ya, macho and fires up the team, but it's just plain stupid.
No one wants to admit it, but Alexander should be considered as fragile as Zach or Trevor. It's literally one hit in the wrong place and he's season-ended. No different from Zach. And as such MTL needs to learn they need to protect him from himself.
He needs to talk with VAJ and learn that you need to hookslide on every single run. You need to throw the ball away in the pocket rather than take hits scrambling. He can still be dynamic and scramble, but when he sees the hit is coming or he's surrounded he needs to be smarter.
Otherwise he may not be able to play football anymore in 3 years. His arm is so good he doesn't need to be a 23-year-old style running QB. He shouldn't play more than 1Q for the rest of the season -- as much as I hate to say it because we need them to beat SSK next week.
3rd Q: holding on the D? Pretty sure that isn't a thing in the CFL. We call it "illegal contact". No?
This might go down in history as a blooper as juicy as Proulx's famous "illegal procedure -- defense" (which actually is a rule, but never called...).
Quote from: tlf on October 12, 2026, 07:36:06 PMDavis sure bounces back after big hits. I feel he's playing hurt. I hate how good he is.
The light that burns twice as bright burns half as long.
I think he'll be playing in the cup limping around just the same as last year. And Maas will refuse to take him out once again.
I worry for his long term health. It's too bad really, as he's really good for the league, and we need 6 more QBs like him. This is the quality of QB the CFL should be aiming to steal away from the NFL.
Quote from: dd on October 12, 2026, 08:59:51 PMAs good as this guy is, he couldn't carry Anthony Calvillo's cleats to the field and AC never beaked off and trashed the opponents.
From my hazy memory of the later part of AC's tenure, I recall he was kind of like a Dru Brown in that he had zero emotion on-field. People with reserved emotions don't beak off because it's not in their nature. Alexander is a fiery guy more like Maas, Austin, etc. So it's his nature to smack talk all the time.
Yes, as "other team" fans we always like the quiet ones more than the mule-holes. Smart QBs who might one day play for another team would be wise to not alienate the whole league early in their careers...
Quote from: tlf on October 12, 2026, 07:46:50 PMWhen is the last time the GC Champs missed the playoffs the following year? Sorry if this has been answered. I tried to google but got bizarre results.
Didn't 2013 Riders do it too?
Sometimes teams will blow the wad on current season with no thought on next season. Worse, they sacrifice/borrow from next season by overspending.
It was looking dicey for a half, but MTL picked up the pace and did us a solid. And they possibly dinged up Alexander and Philpot in the process, meaning if we face them in the GC they'll be iffier.
I look forward to schadenfreude-scrolling on Riderfans later tonight. Always cheers me up.
The next big question: Can SSK beat MTL's backups next week?
Bit scary, that, at least for one half, SSK played MTL way better than we did. I hope our poor showing was more a function of Dru than us completely sucking. By the end vs SSK, Alexander had pretty much dissected SSK as savagely as they did us.
Plus, SSK got the benefit of a couple of big never-happens Philpot & Snead drops.
Quote from: Tecno on Today at 04:43:09 AMDidn't 2013 Riders do it too?
Sometimes teams will blow the wad on current season with no thought on next season. Worse, they sacrifice/borrow from next season by overspending.
Correct, listened to some of the Rider postgame show just for kicks and Nye said historically the Riders have missed the playoffs every year following a Grey Cup victory. :D