(Montreal) The news fell on Sunday: the Montreal Alouettes will have to miss their most valuable player of the past season and the best running back of the last two seasons in the CFL, William Stanback, for the next six games.
Posted at 1:09 p.m.
Stanback left the club’s opener Thursday in Calgary with a left ankle injury at the end of a run that ended at the goal gate.
The 27-year-old American dominated running backs on the Ambrosie Circuit last year, finishing more than 300 yards ahead of his closest pursuer, despite playing a game less. He racked up 1,176 yards on 193 carries. Ka’Deem Carey of the Stampeders was second with 869 yards on 164 carries.
Canadian running back Jeshrun Antwi finished Thursday’s game with 98 yards on seven carries, including one for 70 yards. In 2021, he carried the ball 36 times for 176 yards.
The Alouettes also announced the hiring of running back Shane Simpson, who carried the ball 54 times for the University of Virginia, collecting 278 yards and two touchdowns. He caught 13 passes for 133 yards and an extra major.
Simpson attended training camp with the Winnipeg Blues this spring.
The name of defensive back Najee Murray has also been placed on the injured players list for six games.