6 days ago
Many CFL teams enter week with questions at quarterback position
The bye week comes at an opportune time for Dru Brown and the Ottawa Redblacks.
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Ottawa (1-6) will have time to recover from its 30-15 loss Sunday to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The Redblacks, who have now dropped four straight, resume play July 31 hosting the Calgary Stampeders (5-1).
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The time off should especially benefit Brown. He was forced from Sunday's game in the second quarter after taking a hard hit from Hamilton's DaShaun Amos, who came clean off the edge on a blitz.
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Replays showed Amos struck the bottom of Brown's facemask with the crown of his helmet. Brown's helmet flew off, though his chinstrap wasn't fully secured.
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Brown left the game and didn't return. Amos received a 25-yard penalty for roughing the passer.
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Brown was replaced by Dustin Crum, who finished 16-of-22 passing for 149 yards and an interception while rushing six times for 43 yards. He completed six-of-eight attempts for 66 yards and an interception before leaving the contest.
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Brown had missed three previous starts this season with a hip injury. Ottawa's lone win, a 20-12 decision over Calgary on June 21, came with Crum under centre.
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But at least Brown has time to recover. Many other CFL teams enter the week with questions at quarterback as they prepare for upcoming games.
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Davis Alexander's quest for a record-setting ninth straight win to start a CFL career is on hold. The Montreal Alouettes placed the 26-year-old American on the six-game injured list after he aggravated a hamstring ailment in their 26-25 comeback win over the Toronto Argonauts on Thursday night.
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Alexander's 10-yard TD run late in the fourth quarter capped Montreal's comeback from a 25-7 deficit. But as he scored, Alexander grabbed the back of his leg.
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He remained on the field for Montreal's unsuccessful two-point convert attempt. Alexander had just returned after missing the Alouettes previous two contests with the injury.
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With Alexander out, veteran McLeod Bethel-Thompson is expected to again be Montreal's starter after serving in that capacity during Alexander's two-game absence. The Alouettes visit Calgary (5-1) on Thursday night.
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Meanwhile, the Chad Kelly watch in Toronto continues. The CFL's outstanding player in 2023 hasn't played this season as he recovers from a leg injury suffered in last year's East Division final.
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Kelly was again a limited practice participant Tuesday.
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Nick Arbuckle, who earned MVP honours in Toronto's 2024 Grey Cup victory over Winnipeg, has started all six of the Argos' regular-season contests in 2025. Arbuckle has completed 150-of-210 passes (71.4%) for 1,691 yards with nine TDs and eight interceptions but has been sacked a CFL-high 16 times this season.
