(Montreal) The Montreal Alouettes’ offensive line was able to count on the return to play of left guard Pier-Olivier Lestage during Monday’s practice session.
The veteran had missed the 17-3 loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Saturday, during which his replacement, Philippe Gagnon, fell in action.
We don’t know much more about the nature of Gagnon’s injury, but he now wears a cast on his left arm, possibly due to a fracture. So it wouldn’t be surprising if his name were added to the six-week disabled list later this week.
Defensive backs Ciante Evans and Dionté Ruffin, whose names are on the injured list for one game, practiced on the sidelines without ever donning their helmets. Linebacker Avery Williams, however, took part in the exercises along with Noel Thorpe’s defensive unit: rare good news on the injury side these days.
On offense, Keshunn Abram’s six-game injured list last week forced the Alouettes to try a few different combinations near Olympic Stadium on Monday. In addition to Jake Harty, who appeared in the game against the Bombers, Tyler Snead, Cole Spieker and James Letcher of the practice squad were called upon. Ditto for kick return specialist Chandler Worhty, used in a few formations.
With only four offensive touchdowns in three games, it is clear that the Alouettes are trying to find the combination that will allow them to relaunch the attack at full speed. Jason Maas, who appeared exasperated by some questions from the media on Monday, however pointed out that better communication from coaches to players could be at fault.
Maas notably spoke about the lack of cohesion and communication between the offensive unit, which resulted in five sacks at the expense of Cody Fajardo, who has already been joined behind his line of scrimmage 15 times in just three games.
Fajardo had 77 sacks in 2022, the most in the CFL. We bet that this is a title he does not wish to defend.