Larks | The attack entrusted to Davis Alexander against the Rouge et Noir on Monday?

Will the Montreal Alouettes’ offense be led by Davis Alexander on Monday against the Ottawa Rouge et Noir? Depending on who you asked on Thursday, you got a different answer.

First of all, it must be clarified that there is no quarterback controversy in Montreal. Cody Fajardo missed Thursday’s practice at Hébert stadium in Saint-Léonard, since his wife gave birth to the couple’s second child on Wednesday. Alexander therefore took rehearsals with the first attacking unit of the Alouettes (11-3-1).

Where it got interesting was during the post-practice interviews. For head coach Jason Maas, the plan is for Fajardo to be back in training quickly to start against the Rouge et Noir (8-6-1).

“I expect him to return to training this week and I expect him to play on Monday,” said the coach, who seemed fresh and available after the last bye week of the Alouettes’ schedule.

Maas, however, kept a way out by specifying that “plans can always change”.

“But according to our plans, we expect that [Cody] be of the match,” said Maas, who always talked about playing and not starting the match about Fajardo.

But when reporters spoke with Alexander, he rather suggested that the plan was for him to be the starting quarterback for the fourth time this season.

“I think so, that’s the plan,” he said with a smile on his face. I believe so. I’m not kidding, I think that’s the plan.

“It’s another opportunity to show off.” I’m very grateful to have the opportunity to play. I want to help the team get back to winning ways. The next three games will be against teams that will make the playoffs, so these games are important. »

Find out who’s telling the truth.

One thing is certain, however: Maas assured that in the next three games, which will change absolutely nothing in the standings in the East for the Alouettes, assured of first place, Alexander would see action.

“If the opportunity presents itself, it is clear that we will send him on the field. We want him to be involved, because we don’t want the last significant games he played in to be more than two months ago. We will insert it when we deem it necessary. We want him to have the right sensations [avant les éliminatoires]. »

For the record: Fajardo and his partner are the happy parents of a little boy. The baby and mother are doing well.

Mack to the rescue

Another certainty: no matter who the Alouettes’ starting quarterback is on Monday, they will be able to count on receiver Austin Mack, who was back in practice.

Mack joined the Alouettes in August after trying his luck in the NFL. After just one game, he was placed on the six-game injured list with a right ankle injury sustained in practice a few days later.

“I can’t wait to get back on the field,” said the receiver. The entire team of sports therapists pushed hard to get me back in time for these three games and I am very grateful. »

The 27-year-old American – whose wife has also just given birth to the couple’s second child, a little girl – was the Alouettes’ best receiver last season, catching 78 passes for 1,154 yards and four touchdowns. His return gives the Alouettes a group of receivers with more punch.

Mack, Cole Spieker, Kaion Julien-Grant, Charleston Rambo and Tyler Snead look more like the group of receivers the Alouettes were counting on in the 2023 playoffs, namely Mack, Tyson Philpot, Julien-Grant, Spieker and Snead.

The Alouettes will play the third sold-out game of the season on Monday at Percival-Molson Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.