Alouettes to start QB Davis Alexander on Thanksgiving Day

Photo courtesy: Minas Panagiotakis/CFL.ca

The Montreal Alouettes will roll with backup quarterback Davis Alexander for their Thanksgiving Day matchup with the Ottawa Redblacks.

Starting quarterback Cody Fajardo will be a healthy scratch after missing every practice this week following the birth of his second son. With the top seed in the East already locked up and nothing to play for, the Alouettes are affording him additional family time and activating James Morgan as their third-string QB.

Alexander has made three starts already this season, going 3-0 while also leading one come-from-behind victory off the bench. The third-year pro has completed 73-of-102 passes for 972 yards, six touchdowns, and one interception while rushing 11 times for 89 yards and a score.

Aiding the young pivot will be the return of star receiver Austin Mack, who played just one game with the team following his much-anticipated return from the NFL before suffering an ankle injury in practice. In his first year with the Alouettes, the 26-year-old recorded 78 receptions for 1,154 yards and four touchdowns while leading the team to a Grey Cup victory. American receiver Reggie White Jr. will be a healthy scratch to make room.

Defensively, the team will be without elite defensive tackle Mustafa Johnson (knee), who has made 35 tackles and six sacks in 15 games this year. Rookie Antonio Moultrie kicks inside to defensive tackle, while Jordan Domineck will get the start at defensive end. Veteran cornerback Nafees Lyon (knee) will also be absent with Lorenzo Burns getting the start on the boundary side. Najee Murray will be back in the lineup for the first time since Week 9 and will take over at strong-side linebacker, bumping Bryce Cosby into a depth role.

Rounding out the roster moves, Canadian receiver Regis Cibasu returns from injury and Theo Grant will dress as a seventh offensive lineman. Canadian linebacker Frederic Chagnon (knee) will be out this week.

The Montreal Alouettes (11-3-1) will host the Ottawa Redblacks (8-6-1) on Monday, October 14 at 1:00 p.m. EDT.

Graphic courtesy: Montreal Alouettes