Sun Sep 7 11:29:10 2008

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Around the CFL: Injuries hurting Als and Argos

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Montreal, QC (Sports Network) - The Montreal Alouettes are playing it safe with running back Avon Cobourne.

The CFL rushing leader, who is also attempting to become the first player in league history to register 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season, won't suit up Sunday when the Alouettes host Toronto. Cobourne suffered a right ankle injury in last week's 30-25 victory over B.C.

Cobourne attempted briefly running on the ankle Friday but spent the bulk of the practice session on the sidelines. Afterwards, head coach Marc Trestman said there was a 99 percent chance that Cobourne wouldn't dress against Toronto and that Mike Imoh would instead line up in Montreal's backfield.

Cobourne was hurt when he and teammate Jamel Richardson collided on a pass play. The good news is tests showed he had neither broken nor torn anything, so Trestman decided to err on the side of caution.

ARGOS CHANGES: The Toronto Argonauts defense will feature some new faces Sunday when the club travels to Montreal to meet the Alouettes.

Linebackers Willie Pile and Michael Fletcher will both be sidelined with injuries. Pile has a high ankle sprain while Fletcher is hobbled by a foot problem.

Those injuries could be problematic for Toronto, which last week used multiple defensive fronts in its 34-31 Labor Day victory over Hamilton. With both Pile and Fletcher out, it will likely mean more adjustments for the Argos defense.

However, it could also result in more playing time for veteran Mike O'Shea. The longtime Argos linebacker was relegated to spot duty as well as special teams as a result of Toronto moving from its traditional 3-4 alignment to the multiple defensive fronts.

The good news, though, is the Argos won't have to deal with CFL rushing leader Avon Cobourne, who is expected to miss the game due to injury. Toronto comes into the game allowing almost 168 yards rushing per game.

HONOR FOR STEGALL: The city of Winnipeg has named a street across from Canad Inns Stadium to Milt Stegall Drive after the Winnipeg Blue Bombers star receiver.

The move was done in recognition of Stegall becoming the CFL's career leader in touchdowns scored.

Stegall was on hand for the ceremony and, in typical fashion, the colorful receiver laid down the ground rules for the street. For example:

- People walking down the street must first ensure their shoes are clean.

- Property taxes paid by businesses on the street go to Stegall, not the city of Winnipeg.

- Only Stegall can speed on the street, although Stegall added he'd never do so because when he's out driving, he likes to be seen.

DYNAMIC DUO: The expectation is that both Fred Reid and newcomer Joe Smith will see action Sunday when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers face the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

The Bombers acquired Smith from the B.C. Lions earlier this week in a blockbuster trade that saw Winnipeg career leader Charles Roberts head to Vancouver.

Smith, who led the CFL in rushing last season with 1,510 yards, spent the week trying to get Winnipeg's offensive playbook down and says he's familiar with about 70 percent of what the Bombers do on offense. But the 6-foot-1, 224- pound Smith says he's ready to go.

The Bombers are expected to use the physical Smith in most running situations and then rely on the shiftier Reid in passing situations.

RIDER MOVES: Michael Bishop will make his second straight start for Saskatchewan on Sunday when the Roughriders meet the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to complete their Labor Day series.

Bishop was a dismal 10-of-24 passing for 107 yards in last week's 19-6 win over the Bombers after joining the Riders in a trade with the Toronto Argonauts on August 23.

The Riders will have defensive lineman John Chick in the lineup. It will mark Chick's first game since suffering a knee injury against Montreal in the fourth week of the season. Chick had two sacks and nine tackles in four games before his injury.

CROSSOVER RULE: The B.C. Lions beat the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 35-12 on Saturday to improve their record to 5-5. More importantly, though, they also solidified their chances of reaching the CFL postseason.

B.C. remains fourth in the West Division standings, which on the surface wouldn't look good considering the top three teams in the division qualify for the postseason. However, if the Lions were to finish fourth but post a better record than the third-place team in the East, then the club would cross over into the Eastern division and become the third seed there.

Right now, that looks like a real possibility because prior to Sunday's action Hamilton (2-8) and Winnipeg (2-7) were tied for third in the East.