Quarterback Cody Fajardo will be available for the Montreal Alouettes when they pay a visit to the west’s best in the Saskatchewan Roughriders, though it doesn’t appear he’ll be in the starting lineup.
This marks the first time the 32-year-old will be available to play at Mosaic Stadium since leaving the Riders after the 2022 season. The 2023 Grey Cup MVP has missed the last three games with a hamstring injury and has thrown for 1,636 yards, 10 touchdowns, and four interceptions on the season.
Instead, however, it will be Davis Alexander taking the starter reins for the third consecutive week. After being away from the team on Tuesday for personal reasons, the 25-year-old returned to practice the following day and is slated to be the starter.
Alexander made his season debut against the Riders the last time these teams met, completing 15-of-18 passes for 178 yards and two touchdowns after coming in relief against Saskatchewan three weeks ago.
Canadian receiver Shedler Fervius has moved into the starting lineup as Tyson Philpot has been ruled out. The 24-year-old Philpot exited last week’s contest against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and did not practice all week with a left foot injury.
Nafees Lyon has returned to the starting lineup after missing the last three weeks and will start at boundary corner, pushing Dionte Ruffin to field-side halfback and Bryce Cosby to strong-side linebacker.
Defensive backs Cre’von Leblanc (hamstring) and Najee Murray (ankle), as well as linebacker Frederic Chagnon (knee) remain sidelined.
The Montreal Alouettes (8-1) will visit the Saskatchewan Roughriders (5-3-1) on Friday, Aug. 16 with kickoff slated for 9:00 p.m. EDT.
