The Calgary Stampeders will be missing significant contributors on both sides of the football when they face off with the Montreal Alouettes on Saturday.
On the offensive side of the ball, starting running back Dedrick Mills (oblique) has been placed on the one-game injured list. The 27-year-old has carried the ball 40 times through the first three games of the year for 184 yards while catching 10 passes for another 135.
Former return man Peyton Logan, who has run for 534 yards over the past two seasons, will step in as the starter after being a healthy scratch for the first month of the season. Backup B.J. Emmons is also expected to see an increased amount of touches after carrying 11 times for 29 yards through three games.
American receiver Cam Echols (calf) will also sit out this week, after catching nine passes for 101 yards and a touchdown so far this year. That will force returner Erik Brooks into a full-time starting role in the receiving corps. It is unclear who will handle primary return duties with both Brooks and Logan on the roster.
On the defensive side of the ball, Calgary has placed prized free-agent cornerback Demerio Houston (ankle) on the six-game injured list. The 27-year-old led the CFL in interceptions last year with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and has hauled in two so far as a Stampeder, including a clincher in overtime last week.
Rookie Tyler Richardson draws into the lineup to start at boundary corner, though he may not see the full duration of the game. Rookie first-round pick Ben Labrosse has been listed as the starter on the field side with veteran Tre Roberson becoming the designated nationalized American, able to substitute for either player.
American Bentlee Sanders will return to his safety position after a one-week absence, knocking Canadian Malcolm Thompson out of the starting lineup. The team will also swap depth nationals, with rookie Kaylyn St-Cyr drawing in and Nick Statz moving to the practice roster. Canadian defensive lineman Elliott Graham (hamstring) has been moved to the six-game, while his special teams replacement Kelon Thomas returns from injury.
The Calgary Stampeders (2-1) will visit the Montreal Alouettes (4-0) on Saturday, July 6 at 7:00 p.m. EDT.
