Redblacks without SAM Douglas Coleman III vs. Alouettes

Photo: Bob Butrym/3DownNation. All rights reserved.

The Ottawa Redblacks will be without strongside linebacker Douglas Coleman III when they take on the Montreal Alouettes on Saturday night.

Coleman has been placed on the one-game injured list with a head injury, missing his first start of the season. The second-year man from Texas Tech has been a defensive force through the previous nine games, amassing 31 defensive tackles, three sacks, two interceptions and a defensive touchdown.

Rookie Deandre Lamont, who has previously made starts at corner and halfback, will draw into the lineup to replace Coleman. It will not be the only change to the linebacking corps, as backup Gary Johnson Jr. (foot) has been placed on the six-game injured list. 2023 CFL Draft picks James Peter and Lucas Cormier will dress for depth.

Elsewhere on defence, safety Justin Howell (head) has been added to the six-game injured list. Fellow Canadian Alonzo Addae will start in his place, while depth defensive end Deshawn Stevens returns from a head injury and bumps Aidan John back to the practice roster.

Ottawa will also undergo major changes along the offensive line, where the league’s highest-paid blocker, Drew Desjarlais, will return to his left guard spot after a one-week absence. Hunter Steward will move to a backup role and right tackle Zack Pelehos will be a healthy scratch after making eight starts this season, allowing 2023 first-overall draft pick Dontae Bull to make his first career start.

The native of Victoria, B.C. started 33 games at offensive tackle over six seasons at Fresno State, though he missed the final six games of the 2022 season due to a broken leg. The six-foot-six, 322-pound blocker was not yet fully recovered at the start of the season, but made his CFL debut as a backup last week.

The Redblack (3-6) will host the Alouettes (5-3) on Saturday, August 19 at 7:00 p.m. EDT. The two teams previously met in Week 1, with Montreal coming out on top 19-12.

Photo courtesy: Ottawa Redblacks