September 6, 2019

Week 13 – In and Out

Here are the roster changes for this week’s game against the Redblacks in the capital on Saturday afternoon. One reminder that these are the starting lineups and players may end up in different positions during the game as formations and matchups change.

McLeod Bethel-Thompson is the starting quarterback. In the last four games he’s thrown for 1,344 yards, with nine touchdowns and no interceptions. James Franklin, Dakota Prukop, and Mike O’Connor are behind Bethel-Thompson on the depth chart.

James Wilder Jr. and Chris Rainey are once again the running backs, with Declan Cross the lone fullback. Regis Cibasu has been moved to the practice roster.

Derel Walker torched the Ticats for nine catches for 203 yards and a pair of touchdowns last Monday in the Labour Day Classic. He headlines a receiving corps that remains unchanged this week. Walker, S.J. Green, Armanti Edwards, Rodney Smith and Jimmy Ralph are the starters. Llevi Noel, Kurleigh Gittens Jr., and Kimi Linnainmaa will also dress.

There’s one change on the starting offensive line, as Ryan Bomben moves back to his familiar spot at right guard. Tyler Holmes start at the other guard, with Sean McEwen at centre. The tackles are Jamal Campbell and Roubbens Joseph. Will Campbell has been moved to the one-game injured list, while Randy Richards has been activated from the six-game injured list and will act as the backup.

The defensive line was dominant against Hamilton, especially in the first half. The front four recorded five of Toronto’s seven sacks on the day. The depth chart hasn’t changed from a week ago, where Cleyon Laing and Davon Coleman start at tackle, Freddie Bishop III and Robbie Smith at end, with Jhaustin Thomas, Linden Gaydosh, Frank Beltre and Kennan Gilchrist as the backups.

There’s one change in the linebacking corps, but it’s a notable one. Micah Awe was injured in the Hamilton game and will be replaced by Bear Woods. He’ll be backing up Justin Herdman-Reed in the middle. Ian Wild starts on the weak side, Abdul Kanneh on the strong side. Nakas Onyeka, Nelkas Kwemo and Sean Harrington will also dress and will all play key roles on special teams.

There’s been some shuffling in the secondary as Jonathan Dowling returns and will start at the boundary cornerback spot. Robert Woodson moves from halfback to the field corner. Alden Darby Jr. moves from corner to safety, while Trumaine Washington also moves inside, from corner to halfback. Qudarius Ford remains the boundary halfback. Jermaine Gabriel and Matt Boateng are the reserves.

Tyler Crapigna will do the placekicking, Ronnie Pfeffer is the punter, Jake Reinhart is the long snapper.