Here is a look at the roster changes for Saturday’s Argo game against Saskatchewan at BMO Field (7:00, TSN, TSN 1050). A reminder that these are the projected starters, and that there will be substitutions throughout the game.
The biggest change is at quarterback, where James Franklin replaces McLeod Bethel-Thompson as the starter. Franklin returned to the lineup four games ago against the Alouettes in Moncton, but he saw only short-yardage duty until being inserted in the third quarter of the game against Calgary. He responded by going 12/16, 75%, 147 yards, one touchdown, one interception. He also ran the ball three times for 15 yards. Bethel-Thompson, Dakota Prukop and Mike O’Connor are also on the depth chart.
The running backs are the same, with James Wilder Jr. and Chris Rainey in the lineup. Declan Cross and Regis Cibasu are the fullbacks.
The receivers will have some great mojo in the house as Hall-of-Famer Terry Greer will be honoured before the game. His legendary No. 10 will, as usual, be repped by Armanti Edwards on Saturday night. Edwards is joined in the starting lineup by Derel Walker, S.J. Green, Rod Smith and Jimmy Ralph. The backups also remain the same with Llevi Noel and Kurleigh Gittens Jr. in the lineup.
The offensive line remains the same with Randy Richards and Jamal Campbell at the tackles, the centre is Sean McEwen, while Ryan Bomben and new dad (for the third time) Tyler Holmes are the guards. Shane Richards will also dress.
There’s one change on the defensive line, where rookie Robbie Smith has been placed on the six-game injured list. Kennan Gilchrist (spelled Kennan, pronounced Keenan) will get the start. The other three starters are Freddie Bishop III at the other end, with Cleyon Laing and Davon Coleman at tackle. Jhaustin Thomas, Linden Gaydosh and Frank Beltre will be in the rotation.
The starting linebacking corps is the same, with Bear Woods in the middle, flanked by Ian Wild at weak-side and Abdul Kanneh at strong-side. There’s one addition as Nelkas Kwemo returns after missing the Calgary game. Nakas Onyeka, Eric Striker, Sean Harrington and Global player Christian Hernandez are the other LBs.
There’s a change in the secondary, as recently signed Jonathon Mincy, a former all-star with Montreal, will start at boundary corner. Rob Woodson will start on the other side. The middle three remains the same with Alden Darby Jr. at safety, flanked by halfbacks Qudarius Ford and Trumaine Washington. Matt Boateng and Jermaine Gabriel will also dress. Jonathan Dowling has been placed on the six-game injured list.
Tyler Crapigna is the placekicker, Ronnie Pfeffer the punter, and Jake Reinhart is the long snapper.