Despite the devastating news that Tyson Philpot will miss the remainder of the 2024 season, the Montreal Alouettes are getting a big boost to their receiving corps this week.
Canadian Kaion Julien-Grant and American Tyler Snead will both return to the starting lineup on Saturday after long injury absences. Their presence will knock Jose Barbon and Shedler Fervius down to the practice roster.
Julien-Grant played in six games for the team this season prior to suffering a shoulder injury, catching 26 passes for 288 yards and a touchdown. In five seasons with Montreal, he has amassed 155 receptions for 1,458 yards and four majors.
Snead played in just one game this season, collecting two receptions for 62 yards in the opener before suffering a foot injury. The five-foot-seven, 174-pound speedster had 56 catches for 788 yards and five touchdowns as a rookie in 2023. He added nine receptions for 132 yards and one touchdown through three playoff games and delivered a critical block in the Grey Cup game which helped spring William Stanback for a score.
Absent from the team this week will be all-star safety Marc-Antoine Dequoy (head), who has been placed on the one-game injured list. In 11 games this year, the team’s francophone leader has collected 22 defensive tackles, intercepted two passes, and forced one fumble.
Rookie Arthur Hamlin, a third-round draft pick and recent cancer survivor, will make his first career start at safety. Veteran Nafees Lyon will also return to the lineup to start at boundary cornerback, as Dionte Ruffin moves to field halfback, Bryce Cosby takes back over at strong-side linebacker, and Titus Wall remains in a depth role.
Former NFL cornerback Cre’Von LeBlanc has been placed back on the six-game injured list, while rookie Canadian defensive lineman Philippe Lemieux-Cardinal will make his first career appearance.
The Montreal Alouettes (10-2) will visit the Calgary Stampeders (4-8) on Saturday, September 14 at 7:00 p.m. EDT.
