Fresh off an East Division all-star selection in 2023, not to mention a Grey Cup championship, Alouettes defensive-back Wesley Sutton had reason to have unbridled optimism heading into a new season.
However, in the early days of training camp last May, the 28-year-old veteran suffered a lower-back injury, one that was classified as non-football-related after he made an awkward movement and felt pain. It was a freak accident, but one nonetheless that sidelined him until Thursday night, when he makes his regular-season debut against the Saskatchewan Roughriders at Molson Stadium.
Sutton has missed one third of the season, but plenty of football remains to be played. And the 6-foot, 188-pounder, now in his fourth year with Montreal, is returning at an opportune time — with the Als attempting to end their brief one-game losing streak. Sutton should solidify a defence that was exposed during a 37-18 defeat against Toronto, July 11, and will add experience to the special teams units that also have struggled of late.
“It’s always tough not being able to do what you love to do,” Sutton said. “Seeing the guys winning, I guess, that helped a lot. Knowing that we have a good ball club, feeding off the energy and celebrating with them. That gave me some more juice to continue my (rehabilitation) process. I’ve been patient with it and I’m looking forward to coming back.”
The Als rode a suffocating defence to a championship last season, and Sutton was one of the unit’s top performers. He registered 53 defensive tackles, three sacks, a forced fumble, interception and knocked down five passes over 16 games. The 71-yard interception against Hamilton on June 23 was returned for a touchdown.
Sutton then had six tackles and one more on special teams in the Als’ comeback 28-24 upset of Winnipeg in the Grey Cup.
His return is a breath of fresh air for head coach Jason Maas.
“He was one of leaders last year on defence,” said Maas, noting that Sutton was named a team captain by his peers. “That obviously tells you what the room thinks of him. He’s a vet, a very aggressive vet. He’s a great tackler and has great athleticism. He’s savvy and does a lot of things well. He has ability, toughness and effort, shows up every single play and knows what he’s doing. There’s a feeling of confidence when he’s in there, that he’s going to make a play or at least make you pay for it if you catch one in front of him.”
Sutton also has no reservations about contributing on special teams despite being a defensive starter, Maas added.
“When we have that mindset that we’re going to make a (special teams) play, he’s going to be one of those guys,” the coach said. “He’s not afraid to go in there, get his nose dirty and seek out people to hit. I’ll also say that when you get the game taken away from you a little bit, you have that enthusiasm when you come back. That’s what he’s going to provide us. You talk about spark, guys excited to be here, showing that, Wes has it. We’re excited to have him back.”
Sutton, from Chandler, Ariz., played collegiately at Northern Arizona before signing as an undrafted free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles. Following his release, he landed in the XFL with the New York Guardians in 2020. After that league suspended operations, he signed with the Als in 2021.
Following some initial growing pains while getting accustomed to the CFL, Sutton has settled in nicely to his boundary-side position. In 36 career regular-season games, he has 139 defensive tackles, seven sacks, three interceptions and three forced fumbles.
As a non-import and difference-maker on the field, Sutton occasionally wonders why he’s playing north of the border. But he understands football can be a cruel business and opportunities can be few and far between.
“I know the business side of it and I don’t want to get caught up in that,” he said. “I have a place where I’m able to play. It’s a great game and it’s a league that has been around a lot of years. It’s exciting to be part of a family and team. I’m grateful to still be playing at my age. A lot of people I went to college with no longer are playing.
“You can always think about what if and what could be … but that would be a snowball effect going downhill with my thoughts.”