The Montreal Alouettes (9-1-0) will host the Edmonton Elks (3-7-0) for the first time in over two years on Sunday. The two teams only faced off in Edmonton last year. The Elks’ last visit came on July 14, 2022. These two teams did face-off in Week 2 this season. The Alouettes beat Edmonton 23-20 at Commonwealth Stadium.
The Elks have a different look since the last time the Alouettes saw them on June 14. They fired head coach and general manager Chris Jones, who is now a defensive coach in Hamilton, and he has been replaced on the sideline by Jarious Jackson. Edmonton have rattled off three wins in a row over the Roughriders, Lions and Tiger-Cats.
Here’s what you need to know about this matchup:
Cody Fajardo back in starting lineup:
The Alouettes did a great job of winning all four games Cody Fajardo missed because of a hamstring injury, but there’s nothing like getting your starting quarterback and Grey Cup MVP back. The Als still haven’t dropped a game when Fajardo starts and finishes the contest in 2024.
The 32-year-old is completing a ridiculous 77.47 percent of his passes this season. He’s added 1,632 yards, 10 touchdowns and just four interceptions in six games. He also has 142 yards rushing and a touchdown on the ground.
“This is probably the most games I’ve missed (due to injury) in my career,” Fajardo said after Wednesday’s practice. “Standing on the sidelines hurts, but when your team wins four games when you’re out, it’s nice because you don’t feel rushed to get back. You can get back in your own power and when you feel good.”
Also, there was some good on the injury front at practice. Offensive tackle Jamar McGloster and receiver Kaion Julien-Grant returned to practice this week. They’re still week-to-week with their respective injuries.
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Austin Mack to make 2024 debut:
Earlier this week, the Als announced that receiver Austin Mack had returned from a stint in the NFL. In his first CFL campaign, the 26-year-old put up 1,154 yards and four touchdowns in 17 games. He also registered 103 yards and a touchdown in the Grey Cup game. Mack was named a CFL All-Star in 2023.
The timing of his arrival couldn’t have come at a better time. The Als have been decimated by injuries at every position but particularly at wide receiver. They’re currently without Tyson Philpot, Kaion Julien-Grant and Tyler Snead. Don’t be surprised if Mack sees a healthy number of targets right away.
“I gave it my best shot (in the NFL),” Mack told reporters on Wednesday. “Politics and few opportunities, plus knowing the situation my family is in, it was really a no-brainer (to come back to Montreal). They welcomed me back with open arms and offered me stability. We have a child on the way in October. Bouncing around trying to find a home isn’t the best thing for them. I’m putting my family first in this situation.”
Geno Lewis returns to Montreal for first time:
Elks receiver Eugene Lewis will be returning to Montreal for the first time since he left the team in free agency in the winter of 2023. The 31-year-old had two 1,000-yard seasons with Als. The best year of his career came in 2002 when he finished with over 1,300 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.
1970s retro uniforms:
The Alouettes will be paying tribute to the 1974 team that won the Grey Cup 50 years ago. Part of the tribute is that the 2024 edition of the Als will be wearing the blue retro 1970s jersey which features the Delta logo.