Quarterback Caleb Evans will be in familiar surroundings at TD Place on Friday but will be starting in a different uniform when his Montreal Alouettes take on the Ottawa Redblacks in preseason action.
Evans was signed by the Alouettes in free agency this offseason after spending the past two seasons in Ottawa, seeing time as the starter in each of his first two years in the CFL. He played 26 games for the Redblacks, completing 222-of-367 passes for 2,580 yards, nine touchdowns, and 16 interceptions while adding 130 carries for 699 yards and 19 scores.
Veteran quarterback Cody Fajardo will not see action in the Alouettes’ first preseason game, opening the door for Evans to get the start against his former team. Backups Davis Alexander and Mike Glass III are also expected to see time under centre.
Montreal will be travelling with an inexperienced roster to Ottawa, starting backups at almost every position. Joining Fajardo on the inactive list are fellow first-teamers in running back William Stanback; receivers Greg Ellingson, Tyson Philpot and Kaion Julien-Grant; offensive linemen Kristian Matte and Landon Rice; defensive linemen Nick Usher, Jamal Davis II, Mustafa Johnson and Almondo Sewell; linebackers Avery Williams and Tyrice Beverette; defensive backs Ciante Evans, Nafees Lyons, Najee Murray, Marc-Antoin Dequoy, and Wesley Sutton; and returner Chandler Worthy.
Just four projected starters will be in the lineup for the Alouettes, with Cole Spieker dressing at receiver and left tackle Nick Callender, left guard Pier-Olivier Lestage, and centre Justin Lawrence all scheduled to begin the game in their usual spots. The team is still looking to fill the void left by the retirement of Jumal Rolle at cornerback and the injury to Reggie White Jr. at receiver.
Friday’s preseason game between Alouettes and Redblacks is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EDT at TD Place in Ottawa.
