Injuries can dramatically impact the success (or lack thereof) CFL teams are able to achieve over the course of the regular season.
Below is the number of “man games lost” each team has had this year through 14 weeks of action. Given that not every team has played the same number of games, these totals have been averaged out on a per-game basis.
It should also be noted that teams sometimes carry healthy players on the one-game injured list. This practice is permitted because player earnings are still applied to the salary cap while they’re on the one-game injured list, which negates any potential competitive advantage.
The numbers below do not include players that have been placed on the one-game injured list as healthy scratches — only those who are actually injured.
Here are how all nine CFL teams stack up regarding injuries so far with only seven weeks to go in the regular season.
Montreal Alouettes — 69 man games lost (5.8 per game)
The Alouettes have been the least-injured team in the league this season, though losing two-time CFL all-star running back William Stanback early to a broken ankle was a big blow to the offence. Former all-star halfback Greg Reid and 2022 CFL Draft first overall pick Tyrell Richards are two other notable losses who have missed a combined 17 games due to knee injuries.
B.C. Lions — 90 man games lost (8.2 per game)
Though they’ve had relatively few injuries overall, the Lions suffered a devastating one when M.O.P. front-runner Nathan Rourke was forced to undergo foot surgery last month. Defensive tackle Steven Richardson has missed the entire year thus far with an injury he sustained in the off-season, while slotback Bryan Burnham and linebacker Bo Lokombo missed month-long stints as well.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers — 122 man games lost (9.4 per game)
A number of key players have missed long stints in Bomberland this year including receiver Greg Ellingson, offensive lineman Michael Couture, linebacker Kyrie Wilson, and defensive back Brandon Alexander. One of the biggest blows to the club came when strong-side linebacker Mercy Maston suffered an Achilles injury in training camp for the second consecutive year.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats — 117 man games lost (9.8 per game)
The Ticats have lost a number of key Canadian offensive linemen for extended periods this season with Chris Van Zeyl, Kyle Saxelid, and Alex Fontana ending up on the six-game injured list. The team has also recently had to deal with injuries at the quarterback position as Dane Evans has been limited due to a shoulder injury and Matthew Shiltz has been added to the six-game injured list due to an issue with his wrist.
Ottawa Redblacks — 138 man games lost (11.5 per game)
Jeremiah Masoli played only four games before suffering what was likely a season-ending leg injury on a dirty hit from defensive tackle Garrett Marino. Prized free agent acquisition Kwaku Boateng never suited up for the team after suffering a season-ending injury early in training camp, while defensive back Justin Howell has missed seven games due to a combination of ailments.
Calgary Stampeders — 151 man games lost (12.6 per game)
Calgary’s biggest loss of the year came when boundary cornerback Tre Roberson underwent season-ending knee surgery, though the club has suffered a number of other key injuries as well. Among those who have also missed time are receiver Jalen Philpot, offensive lineman Sean McEwen, linebacker Jameer Thurman, strong-side linebacker Titus Wall, and defensive back Branden Dozier.
Edmonton Elks — 170 man games lost (13.1 per game)
Edmonton’s roster has been a revolving door all season long partly due to how many injuries they’ve suffered. Canadian quarterback Tre Ford missed eight games due to a shoulder injury, while running back James Wilder Jr., receiver Kenny Lawler, defensive lineman Jake Ceresna, linebacker Tre Watson, and defensive back Aaron Grymes have also missed a number of games.
Saskatchewan Roughriders — 175 man games lost (13.5 per game)
The Riders were ravaged by a stomach flu this past weekend, though they’ve had a ton of injuries all season long. Former CFL all-star centre Dan Clark suffered a broken leg in Week 2, while running back Jamal Morrow, wide receiver Shaq Evans, slotback Kyran Moore, defensive tackle Anthony Lanier II, defensive end A.C. Leonard, and linebacker Micah Teitz have all missed time as well.
Toronto Argonauts — 178 man games lost (14.8 per game)
No team has faced more injuries in the CFL this season than the Boatmen who have been without a number of key players for long stretches of the year. Running back Andrew Harris, receiver Eric Rogers, offensive lineman Peter Nicastro, defensive lineman Ja’Gared Davis, and defensive back Shaquille Richardson have all missed time, along with offensive tackles Trevon Tate and Isiah Cage.
