Injuries are a significant factor in the success or failure of all professional sports teams, particularly in a game as violent as football.
Injury lists in the CFL can be a bit misleading, however, since it’s common for teams to stash healthy players on the one-game injured list, which is permitted as their salaries still count against the cap. Players on the six-game injured list are exempt from the cap, so they must be injured to receive that designation (unless teams lie, of course, which we have no way of verifying).
Over the first 10 weeks of the season, 3DownNation has tracked the roster moves from all nine teams pertaining to the one-game and six-game injured lists. Below is the number of “man games lost” each team has through the first half of the season, not including healthy scratches or suspensions — only injuries.
The Ottawa Redblacks have played one fewer game than the league’s other eight teams, so these rankings are presented on a per-game basis.
B.C. Lions — 64 man games lost (7.1 per game)
The Lions have been the healthiest team in the CFL so far this season, which is somewhat surprising considering Keon Hatcher and T.J. Lee started the year on the six-game injured list with Achilles tears they suffered in the West Final. Josh Woods is probably the most impactful injury currently affecting the team as he’s out for the year with a knee problem, while former first-round pick Francis Bemiy Jr. has yet to play due to a hamstring injury. B.C. was also the CFL’s least injured team when 3DownNation did its midseason check-in last year, which seems like a testament to their training and medical staff.
Ottawa Redblacks — 69 man games lost (8.6 per game)
Running back DeVonte Williams, who suffered a torn Achilles while training in the off-season, accounts for eight of Ottawa’s man games lost, while defensive backs Brandin Dandridge, Alijah McGhee, and Money Hunter combine for another 21. The Redblacks have had their top four quarterbacks available for only two games so far this season as Jeremiah Masoli opened the year on the six-game injured list and Dru Brown is now out with a foot injury he sustained in last week’s tie with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Edmonton Elks — 81 man games lost (9.0 per game)
Tomas Jack-Kurdyla, Edmonton’s three-year starter at right guard, is probably the most costly injury the team has suffered this season, though Shane Richards has played well in his place. The University at Buffalo product has missed six games this season while receivers Kyran Moore and Vincent Forbes-Mombleau have both missed nine, Canadians J-Min Pelley and Jake Taylor have both missed six, and key special teamer Scott Hutter is out for the rest of the season due to a knee injury.
Saskatchewan Roughriders — 86 man games lost (9.6 per game)
The Riders slot in near the middle of the pack, though many of their injuries have affected their top offensive players. Trevor Harris, A.J. Ouellette, Kian Schaffer-Baker, Philip Blake, and Jermarcus Hardrick have missed a combined 23 games with Blake and Hardrick unlikely to return before the end of the year. Homegrown defenders Jaxon Ford and Nick Wiebe have yet to play this season due to preexisting injuries, though both are expected to see the field before the end of the campaign.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers — 87 man games lost (9.7 per game)
Projected defensive starters Cameron Lawson and Jamal Parker have yet to play this season, while star receivers Kenny Lawler and Dalton Schoen have missed a combined 14 contests. Lawler will likely be back in the lineup on Sunday when Winnipeg visits the B.C. Lions, while Schoen is expected to miss the rest of the season. Edge rushers Celestin Haba and TyJuan Garbutt have both missed six games, as has rookie receiver Keric Wheatfall. Other recent additions to the six-game injured list include longtime starters Drew Wolitarsky and Kyrie Wilson.
Montreal Alouettes — 91 man games lost (10.1 per game)
Jamar McGloster, who started at right tackle during Montreal’s surprise Grey Cup run last season, has missed all nine matchups this year, while fellow offensive linemen Jesse Gibbon and Kristian Matte have missed six and three games, respectively. Former first-overall draft pick Tyrell Richards and receiver Tyler Snead have both missed the club’s last eight games, while Canadian target Kaion Julien-Grant has missed the past four. Franchise quarterback Cody Fajardo has also missed the last three with a knee injury, though Davis Alexander has fared well in his place.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats — 92 man games lost (10.2 per game)
Former first-round picks Dayton Black and Enock Makonzo have yet to dress for a game this season, as is the case for special teams ace Nic Cross. Star defensive back Stavros Katsantonis has missed Hamilton’s last four contests, while Nathaniel Dumoulin-Duguay, the team’s first-round pick in this year’s draft out of Université Laval, has missed the past five. Left tackle Joel Figueroa, who has a history of injury problems, has been available for just two games this season, suffering another ailment the only time he dressed this year.
Calgary Stampeders — 100 man games lost (11.1 per game)
The Stampeders have four players who have yet to dress for a game this season, accounting for over one-third of their man games lost. These players are fullback William Langlais, receiver Malik Henry, rookie defensive lineman Jason Janvier-Messier, and defensive back Daniel Amoako, only one of whom was a projected starter. Depth Canadians Rysen John, Kyle Saxelid, Kwadwo Boahen, and Elliot Graham have combined for another 26 games missed.
Toronto Argonauts — 100 man games lost (11.1 per game)
The Boatmen have fought injuries to their Canadian receivers all season long with Kevin Mital, Dejon Brissett, Tommy Nield, and Dave Ungerer missing a combined 24 contests. Reigning CFL all-star centre Darius Ciraco has missed Toronto’s last seven matchups, while strong-side linebacker Quincy Mauger has been out for six. Perhaps the biggest loss has been the club’s three star defenders — Jake Ceresna, Wynton McManis, and Folarin Orimolade — who have missed a combined nine games.
