The Hamilton Tiger-Cats will be without starting cornerback and electric return man Lawrence Woods III when they visit the Toronto Argonauts on Sunday, after the second-year speedster was unexpectedly placed on the six-game injured list.
Woods practiced fully with the team all week but was forced to undergo some undisclosed medical checks after practice on Saturday, according to head coach Orlondo Steinauer. He could be out long-term due to the issue, though players can be removed from the six-game injured list early.
The Truman State product had an excellent rookie year with the Ticats in 2022, returning 43 kickoffs for 990 yards and a touchdown, 62 punts for 807 yards, and three missed field goals for 48 yards while playing sparingly on defence. He earned the starting cornerback job for Week 1 of 2023, recording one tackle against Winnipeg while recording six kickoff returns for 154 yards and three punt returns for 17 more.
The Ticats have added two rookies to the roster to replace Woods. Dexter Lawson Jr. from Appalachian State will take over at field-side cornerback, while Valdosta State’s Lio’undre Gallimore will handle return duties after taking a punt back 84 yards to paydirt in the preseason.
Joining Woods on the six-game injured list are rookie receiver Omar Bayless (shoulder) and veteran Canadian offensive lineman Kyle Saxelid (knee). Starting right tackle Tyrone Riley (elbow) has also been placed on the one-game injured list and will be replaced by second-year American Brandon Kemp. Global linebacker Penei Pavihi will be a healthy scratch.
Added to the roster this week is Canadian kicker Marc Liegghio, who was signed on Saturday to replace the suspended Seth Small. In 32 career games, the Woodbridge, Ont. native has connected on 37-of-47 field goal attempts (78.7 percent) while hitting 61-of-69 point-afters (88.4 percent), registering 172 points.
American defensive back Will Sunderland and Canadian offensive lineman Dayton Black, the team’s first-round pick in the 2023 CFL Draft, will also draw into the lineup.
The Ticats (0-1) will visit the Toronto Argonauts (0-0) at BMO Field on Sunday, June 18 at 7:00 p.m. EDT.
