The Toronto Argonauts will be a little lighter in the trenches when they face the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Friday, as the team is slated to be without three impactful defensive linemen.
Hulking defensive tackle Shawn Oakman will miss his second game of the season for non-injury-related reasons, while defensive end Thomas Costigan (ankle) has been placed on the one-game injured list. Canadian role player Benoit Marion (thigh) has also been placed on the six-game injured list.
Oakman has been named an East Division all-star in each of the past two seasons, earning league honours in 2021. In three games this year, he has collected five tackles and a sack, bringing his career totals to 69 tackles and 13 sacks.
Costigan has recorded five tackles and two sacks since joining the Argos in free agency this offseason. In the previous two seasons with Edmonton and Montreal, he recorded 41 tackles and 10 sacks.
Replacing the two impact pass rushers in the lineup will be defensive tackle Jared Brinkman and defensive end Brandon Barlow. Brinkman has played three games in his two seasons with Toronto, recording three tackles. Barlow has made 12 appearances, including two this year, registering 19 defensive tackles and two sacks.
On the opposite side of the line of scrimmage, guard Dylan Giffen (chest) has been moved to the six-game injured list after being a game-time decision last week. Brayden Noll will take over as the team’s seventh offensive lineman.
Canadian defensive back Eric Sutton (knee) also returns to the lineup after missing the last two games.
The Argonauts (4-0) will visit the Ticats (2-3) on Friday, July 21 at 7:30 p.m. EDT. They are currently point favourites.
