Lions at Riders Oct. 12, 2024

[B.C.FAN]

With the inside track on a home playoff game at stake, the Lions travel to Regina for their final regular-season road game Saturday. A B.C. win gives the Lions a chance to clinch second place in the West with a victory over Montreal in their final home game the following week. A B.C. loss would relegate the Lions to third place and require them to win playoff road games in Saskatchewan and Winnipeg to earn a spot in the Grey Cup game at B.C. Place on Nov. 17.

Injured Lions David Mackie, Alex Hollins, Pete Robertson, Isaiah Messam, Marcus Moore, Francis Bemiy and Maxime Rouyer have all been declared available for Saturday's game after being full participants in practice. Jarell Broxton is listed as questionable despite being a full participant Wednesday and Thursday. Jevon Cottoy, Ciante Evans and Tyler Packer didn't practise and have been ruled out for this game.

CFL injury reports

[SammyGreene]

No Cottoy yet again is a big hit, especially what he brings against a very good Riders' pass rush. Interesting that he came back from that ankle injury to finish the Hamilton game but would miss the next 2 games at least and at this point you might as well save him for the playoff game.
His replacement Poissant had zero targets last week. Does Hollins' return mean they could start 4 Americans instead?

Some interesting thoughts from Farhan today on Taylor & Dhaliwal saying there is no leash for Rourke and he would have to struggle mightily to go to VA. I agree with Blitz in the Lions really botched this one.
Could have been a 1A/1B scenario like Austin/McManus in 94 but Lions are at the point of no return now it seems. Is this about protecting the face of the franchise moving forward who will be the league's highest paid player in 2025?

Love Rourke and he should be the QB moving forward but surprising they dismiss what VA has done since the start of the 2023 season never mind he has been front and centre with their leadership group.

[don corleone]

Seems like a quiet week so all must be good. I'm expecting 300 yds passing and 100 on the ground. The defence will already know their challenges. Lions appear a clear underdog according to the experts. +1.5 this morning on Proliine.

If ever there was a time to roar this would be it. I seem to remember a second half collapse maybe 2013 that needs to be set right. I am picking BC

[B.C.FAN]

FB David Mackie, WR Alex Hollins and LT Jarell Broxton will be back in the starting lineup Saturday, and WR Ayden Eberhardt replaces Kieran Poissant in Jevon Cottoy’s slotback position, according to the team’s official depth chart. Kory Woodruff remains at left guard. Christ Schleuger, who has started at LT and LG, moves to the 1-game injured list. Rookie RB Jordan Terrell returns to the practice roster.

On defence, Pete Robertson returns from injury and is listed as a rotational defensive end behind Mathieu Betts. Backup DB/SAM Patrice Rene moves to the disabled list and Adrian Greene is on the 1-game injured list. Backup LBs Isaiah Messam and Maxime Rouyer return to the lineup, where they have been major contributors on special teams.

Lions depth chart and roster

[SammyGreene]

Without Greene & Rene we are paper thin for depth in the secondary if any of the starters get hurt. Interesting Evans has been unavailable for now 2 straight games for a non-injury related matter. Rene also has the same status. This is where I miss Lowell Ullrich being a regular at practices.
Woodruff starting over Schleuger at left guard is a surprise.

[B.C.FAN]

Without Greene & Rene we are paper thin for depth in the secondary if any of the starters get hurt. Interesting Evans has been unavailable for now 2 straight games for a non-injury related matter. Rene also has the same status. This is where I miss Lowell Ullrich being a regular at practices.
Woodruff starting over Schleuger at left guard is a surprise.

Agreed on all points. The lack of experience in the secondary has been an issue all year, with the mysterious release of former all-star Marcus Sayles in training camp, the absence of T.J. Lee for the first 6 games and the over-reliance on rookies Ronald Kent (10 starts), Christophe Beaulieu (4 starts) and Jordyn Perryman (3 starts), along with versatile nationals Adrian Greene (14 starts) and Patrice Rene (10 starts).

With Ciante Evans, Perryman, Greene and Rene all out of the lineup this week, the only backup DB on the roster is rookie Charlie Ringland, who has dressed for 7 games on special teams and has no defensive stats. If the Lions were to lose 2 DBs at any point on Saturday, the next man up would likely be Isaiah Messam, who tried out at field corner and safety in 2019 training camp before being moved to weakside linebacker.

[don corleone]

It's a patchwork O line for the Riders with Ferland at center and Fry starting at LG. Stage is set for Mathieu Betts to do his thing.

Sask receiving corps is a bit suspect as well although Trevor Harris will find the open guy given time to do so.

[don corleone]

Good move imo to activate Pete Robertson against his old team. He will know he needs a good game.

Also don't think Sask will be interested in getting Trevor Harris injured but if the Lions get a chance to lay a clean lick it might be worth it. I can see it being a physical game.

[Hambone]

Without Greene & Rene we are paper thin for depth in the secondary if any of the starters get hurt. Interesting Evans has been unavailable for now 2 straight games for a non-injury related matter. Rene also has the same status. This is where I miss Lowell Ullrich being a regular at practices.
Woodruff starting over Schleuger at left guard is a surprise.

Agreed on all points. The lack of experience in the secondary has been an issue all year, with the mysterious release of former all-star Marcus Sayles in training camp, the absence of T.J. Lee for the first 6 games and the over-reliance on rookies Ronald Kent (10 starts), Christophe Beaulieu (4 starts) and Jordyn Perryman (3 starts), along with versatile nationals Adrian Greene (14 starts) and Patrice Rene (10 starts).

With Ciante Evans, Perryman, Greene and Rene all out of the lineup this week, the only backup DB on the roster is rookie Charlie Ringland, who has dressed for 7 games on special teams and has no defensive stats. If the Lions were to lose 2 DBs at any point on Saturday, the next man up would likely be Isaiah Messam, who tried out at field corner and safety in 2019 training camp before being moved to weakside linebacker.

Should 2 DBs do down I suspect TJ Lee would slide back with Messam filling in at SAM. Depending on position of the first one to go down was Lee might drop back to fill in before Ringland.

[Blitz]

Looking forward to the game. Still a chance to have a home playoff game but we gotta win today.

Roar you Lions roar (with banjo music playing in the background)

[Lion Guy]

Kick off.
5 yard run
Int.
Down by 7 and people aren’t even in their seats yet

LMAO

[SammyGreene]

Lovely Stanback. Just lovely.

[Lion Guy]

10 yard pass

Int.

This is awesome

[TheLionKing]

One team ready to play, the other not

[aklawitter]

and there goes the home playoff game