The Montreal Alouettes will be without starting middle linebacker Micah Awe for the East Semi-Final after a shoulder injury held him out of practice all week.
The 28-year-old veteran was a mid-season addition to the Alouettes roster after beginning the season with the B.C. Lions. He played just one game with the club prior to his release and recorded a single special tackle.
Awe arrived in Montreal in Week 6 and took over the starting middle linebacker job the following game. In 13 appearances this season, he has made 47 defensive tackles, three more on special teams, while adding an interception and a forced fumble.
The Texas Tech product started his CFL career with B.C. in 2017, recording 54 defensive tackles, 16 special teams tackles, and one forced fumble. The Nigerian-born linebacker was then released to sign a contract with the New York Jets but would return to the Lions in August 2018, racking up 31 defensive tackles in seven contests.
Awe moved on to the Toronto Argonauts as a free agent in 2019 and registered 44 defensive stops, one interception, one sack and a forced fumble in ten games. He suited up in all 14 games for the Ottawa Redblacks last season, notching a career-high 74 defensive tackles and three sacks.
In Awe’s absence, Montreal will bump Canadian Chris Ackie over to middle linebacker after he lost his starting spot on the weakside to Tyrice Beverette. The seven-year CFL veteran recorded 24 tackles and an interception in 13 games this year.
The Alouettes (9-9) will play host to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (8-10) on Sunday, November 6 at 1:00 p.m. EDT.
