The Montreal Alouettes appear close to getting back receivers Kaion Julien-Grant and Tyler Snead, but they could be without safety Marc-Antoine Dequoy.
Julien-Grant and Snead, whose names still appear on the injured list for six games, trained with the main attacking group for a second consecutive day, on the synthetic surface of the Hébert stadium in Saint-Léonard.
For Julien-Grant, this shoulder injury could not have come at a worse time, as he had an excellent start to the season before falling in combat early in the game against the Toronto Argonauts on July 11, the Alouettes’ sixth game of the campaign. He had caught 26 of the 33 passes thrown his way for gains of 288 yards and a touchdown.
Snead injured his right ankle in the season opener on June 6 against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and has not been seen since.
On the other hand, Dequoy was conspicuous by his absence for a second day in a row, Wednesday, so much so that his presence for Saturday’s game in Calgary seems uncertain at the time of writing.
Defensive coordinator Noel Thorpe sought to reassure the team that there is no talk of replacing anyone on the roster right now and that “there’s still plenty of time between now and kickoff.” On Tuesday, head coach Jason Maas talked about treatment for Dequoy after a “tough game” against the BC Lions last Friday.
There is talk of a head injury for Dequoy, which could indicate a concussion. Either way, it’s not very reassuring.
Arthur Hamlin took reps Tuesday and Wednesday as a safety on the top defensive unit, a sign he could get the start Saturday against the Stampeders.
The Alouettes will hold a final practice Thursday before flying to Alberta on Friday. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Saturday.