Quarterback Taylor Powell will be back in the lineup for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Saturday, but not as a starter.
Powell has been out of the lineup since suffering a head injury early in the team’s Week 11 contest that required a trip to the hospital. It prematurely ended his first start of the season, though he played the majority of the previous game after coming off the bench early to replace veteran Bo Levi Mitchell.
In a little more than a game of action this season, the 25-year-old has completed 38-of-48 passes for 390 yards and two touchdowns, while adding seven carries for 70 yards on the ground. The native of Fayetteville, Ark. started nine games for the Tabbies in 2023, going 4-5 at the helm and completing 197-of-292 pass attempts for 2,283 yards with 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions as a rookie.
Despite that success, Mitchell will retain his starting job after pulling off a Labour Day upset of the Toronto Argonauts two weeks ago. The 34-year-old is currently the CFL’s leading passer despite his momentary benching, throwing for 3,383 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in 12 games.
Taulia Tagovailoa will retain the third-string job behind Mitchell and Powell. Fellow rookie Harrison Frost will be a healthy scratch this week.
Elsewhere on the roster, the Ticats have made a switch at returner with Lawrence Woods III drawing into the lineup and Jordan Byrd (knee) going on the one-game injured list. Rookie Canadian defensive end Luke Brubacher will also draw in on special teams, demoting defensive back Patrick Burke Jr. to the practice roster.
Star cornerback Jamal Peters (Achilles) remains on the roster but has been listed as a game-time decision. Canadian Siriman Harrison Bagayogo is the only backup DB currently expected to be dressed.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats (3-9) will host the Ottawa Redblacks (8-3-1) on Saturday, September 14 at 3:00 p.m. EDT.
