Alouettes' defense reshaped by injuries ahead of Elks clash

The Montreal Alouettes face a significant challenge as they prepare to host the Edmonton Elks, with a reshaped defense set to confront the CFL's top offenses. Key players, including middle linebacker Geoffrey Cantin-Arku, defensive backs Najee Murray and Wesley Sutton, and defensive lineman Mustafa Johnson, are sidelined due to injuries.

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I don’t know that we’re worried about anybody being out or not being out right now. We’ve got 70-odd players here in our building and every single one of them with the expectations they can go in and play for us and play at a high level. So that is the least of our concern.

Head coach Jason Maas, however, remains unfazed by the absences. He emphasized the team's depth, stating that all players are expected to perform at a high level regardless of their starting status. "We've got 70-odd players here in our building and every single one of them with the expectations they can go in and play for us and play at a high level," Maas said. Players like Micah Awe, Faion Hicks, and Decarius Hawthorne are stepping into starting roles.

The matchup carries extra intrigue with former Alouettes quarterback Cody Fajardo and receiver Austin Mack returning to Montreal. Fajardo, who led the Alouettes to a Grey Cup in 2023, was traded after the 2024 season. He and Mack are eager to face their former team. "It's always great to be able to go back there and try and whip their ass at home," Mack commented.

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At the end of the day, they shipped me and Cody out of there. It’s always great to be able to go back there and try and whip their ass at home.

Fajardo, who handed the Alouettes their only loss this season, acknowledged the strength of Montreal's defense despite its recent injury struggles. "I just know them as well as anybody, playing against them for two years when I was in Montreal, and everybody wants to talk about how their defence is having a down year, and I’m like, ‘What down year?'" he said. The Alouettes aim to maintain their strong home record against the Elks, who defeated them in overtime earlier in the season.

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I just know them as well as anybody, playing against them for two years when I was in Montreal, and everybody wants to talk about how their defence is having a down year, and I’m like, ‘What down year?'