STORYLINES TO WATCH
1. Next year country
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are already there and the Montreal Alouettes are a loss away from being out of the CFL playoff chase. The Alouettes could be eliminated from post-season contention if the Hamilton TigerCats beat the Ottawa Redblacks on Friday night or with a loss to the Riders on Saturday. The Riders have been out of the playoff chase since Oct. 10 when the Edmonton Eskimos beat the Alouettes 40-20. One of Montreal’s four wins this season was a 41-3 romp over the visiting Riders on July 29. Montreal has a 2-8-0 record since that the victory. The Riders are 4-6-0 over the same span.
2. McKnight Rider
Running back Joe McKnight made quite the impression during his first start for the Riders in last Saturday’s 29-11 win over the Toronto Argonauts. McKnight, who rushed for 150 yards on 17 carries, reached the 100-yard plateau on just his 11th carry in the first half. He was filling in for Curtis Steele, who is sidelined with an undisclosed injury. McKnight is a power back with the speed to break through holes. That combination allowed the Riders to run the ball effectively against the Argonauts.
3. The Cox connection
The Riders will be without defensive back Justin Cox, who injured his right shoulder in the win over the Argonauts. Cox and defensive back Ed Gainey were often called upon to cover the opposition’s top receivers. Cox has been up for the role while intercepting a team-high four passes. Gainey is second with two interceptions. Tevaughn Campbell and Tyler Hunter are expected to fill in for Cox down the stretch.
4. Third and long-snapper
A head injury to Dan MacDonald led to the Riders signing veteran Randy Chevrier on Friday as their long-snapper. Chevrier is the third longsnapper to start with the Riders this season due to injury. MacDonald took over for Jorgen Hus, who has been sidelined since Aug. 26. The 40-year-old Chevrier boasts 14 years of CFL experience with the Calgary Stampeders and Edmonton Eskimos. Chevrier has kept in shape while working out in his hometown of Calgary. The CFL veteran is expected to be with the Riders for the last three regular-season games even though MacDonald was placed on the one-game injured list.
5. Quarterback watch
Rookie quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. is to make his first-ever CFL start versus the Riders on Saturday. Adams replaces Rakeem Cato, who has struggled as Montreal’s latest starter. Montreal traded its first-round pick in the 2017 draft to the B.C. Lions for the rights to Adams. Adams is the ninth Alouettes quarterback to start over the 64 games since Anthony Calvillo retired after the 2013 season. Darian Durant is expected to start at quarterback against the Alouettes and see significant action. Jake Waters has been activated and is listed second on the quarterbacking depth chart, followed by Brandon Bridge.