It’s now official. The Montreal Alouettes will be without the services of safety Marc-Antoine Dequoy for their game on Saturday against the Calgary Stampeders.
The 29-year-old Quebecer missed a third consecutive practice on Thursday. He hasn’t been seen all week at Hébert Stadium in Saint-Léonard, where the Alouettes hold their practices. With the trip to Alberta scheduled for Friday, it’s certain that Dequoy won’t be at his post.
The official report states that the man suffered a head injury.o 24 of the Birds, which could mean a concussion. The team did not give any further details in his case, however.
In his absence, it is rookie Arthur Hamlin who will make his first start within the Alouettes’ defensive unit.
“He’s picked up our defensive game pretty quickly. We saw that with the reps he got this week and I know he has the physical skills to play safety,” head coach Jason Maas said Thursday. “Everybody needs to get a first chance and I know he’s ready to step into that role.”
“Hamlin has had his nose in our playbook since the beginning of the season. He’s done a great job and knows his role on the field. He does very well in the reps he takes and in the classroom,” defensive coordinator Noel Thorpe said. “Now, for the younger guys, it’s the same thing: you need as many reps as possible.”
The third round pick, 9e In total, he has been used in six games on special teams so far in the last draft. He has made four tackles. He says he is ready to make the transition to the starting role.
“I would say there’s not a lot of adjustments for me. Even though I’m a reserve, I prepare every week as if I’m going to start the game,” Hamlin said. “So there’s no difference in my preparation.”
“I’m very excited. Everyone dreams of this first start as a pro. But I’m also very well prepared. I’m confident in my knowledge of the playbook. I just have to do what I’m used to doing on the field.”
Reinforcements in attack
Thursday’s practice also confirmed that the Alouettes will be getting reinforcements on offense. Receivers Kaion Julien-Grant and Tyler Snead again took part in drills as part of the first offensive unit and Maas confirmed they would be in the lineup.
Julien-Grant and Snead will be removed from the six-game injured list. Julien-Grant had been on the list since injuring his shoulder against the Toronto Argonauts on July 11. Snead was on the list because of an injury to his right ankle suffered in the season opener on June 6.
“This is one of the teams we thought we had going into the season. Two of those guys are coming off a long layoff, though,” Maas said of the return of his two receivers. “We’ll have to see if they’re ready.”
“I’m very excited about the roster we have. I’m always very excited, you must be tired of hearing me say that. But when you get players back that you saw on your roster to start the season, it’s exciting.”
Quarterback Cody Fajardo was also happy to have these two pillars back, although he anticipates a certain period of adaptation.
“You have to rebuild relationships when these players come back into the game,” the no 7. Sometimes it’s frustrating when you’re training because the runs are a little bit less good and the ball doesn’t go exactly where it should go.
The Alouettes (10-2) will play the first of three games on the opposing pitches on Saturday at 7 p.m. EDT against the Stampeders (4-8). The Montreal team will try to get back to winning ways after losing Friday to the BC Lions. The Stamps will want to end a four-game losing streak.
The Alouettes will also try to extend their winning streak abroad to six this season.