Alleged groin punches from B.C.’s Josh Hagerty result in ‘life-altering’ injury to Alouettes’ Liam Talbot

According to sources with direct knowledge of the situation, Talbot received blows to the groin area on two separate special teams plays during the team’s loss in Vancouver. The injury was severe enough to require emergency surgery earlier this week, which will rule the 23-year-old out for the remainder of the season.

The Alouettes have not publicly disclosed the nature of the procedure, but sources described it as life-altering, with potential consequences extending well beyond Talbot’s football career. Specific details regarding his prognosis are being withheld out of respect for his medical privacy.

The incidents were not penalized and received little attention during the game, which also included allegations of dirty play against B.C. defensive lineman Mathieu Betts and a sideline brawl.

However, Alouettes fullback Marco Dubois shared footage of one incident on X on Wednesday, stating, “This is not football. There need to be consequences for this kind of unacceptable play that puts players’ safety at risk.”

Montreal offensive lineman Cyrille Hogan-Saindon responded to the post, saying, “Punch in the nuts, I’ve never seen anything like that from an adult in a professional football game.”

3DownNation has since obtained footage of both sequences, which appears to show Hagerty delivering underhand punches to Talbot’s groin area.

The first video shows the more forceful of the two alleged blows. The second video captures another alleged underhand punch directed toward the same area during a separate exchange.

Talbot was able to finish the game, but a couple of days later, the resulting injury became severe enough to force him to seek medical attention. He was then rushed into surgery.

Talbot was absent from practice on Wednesday and was officially listed with a groin injury on the team’s injury report. He has also been ruled out for Friday night’s game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Hagerty is one of three players who will reportedly attend CFL disciplinary hearings this week after incidents in the Montreal-B.C. game. Though hearings sometimes result in fines, they may also result in suspensions. A player cannot be suspended without first taking part in a hearing.

The B.C. Lions declined 3DownNation’s request for comment, citing the CFL’s ongoing disciplinary process. The CFL typically announces fines and suspensions prior to the first game of the following week.

Talbot was selected in the fourth round of the 2026 CFL Draft by the Alouettes. The University of Windsor product has appeared in four games as a rookie, recording six carries for 23 yards and a touchdown, as well as one special teams tackle.

Hagerty is in his sixth CFL season out of the University of Saskatchewan. In 13 games this year, he has recorded 11 defensive tackles and nine special teams tackles.

The Lions (7-6) are on a bye this week, while the Alouettes (10-3) will visit the Tiger-Cats (4-9) on Friday, September 18.