It’s the regular-season game that’s looked forward to the most. The Argos at Hamilton in the annual Labour Day Classic. This is your weekly reminder that the depth chart is a list of the presumed starters, and the players are in an out of the lineup after the game starts.
McLeod Bethel-Thompson is the starting quarterback. He’s been posting great numbers of late, passing for 1,007 yards with seven touchdowns and no interceptions in the last three games. James Franklin will be QB2, while Dakota Prukop will be the third quarterback. Michael O’Connor is also on the depth chart, listed as the fourth QB.
Rodney Smith is coming off a 12-catch, 136-yard game in Moncton and will be a part of the starting receiving corps. S.J. Green, Derel Walker, Armanti Edwards and Jimmy Ralph, who scored his first CFL TD last week, are the other starters. Llevi Noel, Kurleigh Gittens Jr. and Kimi Linnainmaa are the other receivers. Alex Charette has been moved to the practice roster.
James Wilder Jr. is listed atop the running back position with Chris Rainey slotted behind him. Brandon Burks has been placed on the six-game injured list. Both Declan Cross and Regis Cibasu are listed as fullbacks.
Roubbens Joseph will be the starting offensive left tackle, in for Isiah Cage, who is now on the six-game injured list. Jamal Campbell will be the other starting tackle, with Will Campbell and Tyler Holmes at guard. Sean McEwen will be in his usual spot at centre. Ryan Bomben will be the extra o-lineman.
The biggest roster note on defence is that Cleyon Laing has been removed from the six-game injured list and will start at tackle. Davon Coleman will start at the other tackle with Jhaustin Thomas and Linden Gaydosh also on the depth chart. The ends will be Freddie Bishop III and Robbie Smith as starters, with Frank Beltre and Kennan Gilchrist behind them.
Justin Herdman-Reed is the middle linebacker, backed up by Micah Awe, with Ian Wild as the weak-side starter. He’s backed up by Nelkas Kwemo, Nakas Onyeka and Sean Harrington. Abdul Kanneh once again starts on the strong side.
There’s one change in the secondary as Robert Woodson will start at halfback for the injured Kevin Fogg, who has been placed on the six-game injured list. Qudarius Ford is the other halfback. Alden Darby Jr. and Trumaine Washington are the corners, with Jermaine Gabriel at safety. Matt Boateng will also dress.
Tyler Crapigna is the placekicker, Ronnie Pfeffer is the punter, Jake Reinhart is the long snapper.
Happy Labour Day!