While the extent of Tyson Philpot’s injury should come to light by Tuesday, the Alouettes are cautiously optimistic their talented receiver dodged a bullet.
Philpot, who leads Montreal with 58 catches for 779 yards while scoring five touchdowns, suffered a lower-body injury early in the first quarter of Saturday’s victory against Hamilton. Philpot appeared to get his cleats caught in the Molson Stadium turf while making a routine short-yardage catch on the Als’ second series. His left foot was in a walking boot as he left the stadium and he didn’t return.
Philpot underwent a series of tests on Monday and was awaiting an examination with the team’s orthopedic surgeon for a more definitive conclusion. The Als have two more games, beginning Friday night at Saskatchewan, before going on their second bye week of the season, returning to host B.C. on Sept. 6. That would potentially provide Philpot with three weeks’ recovery time.
Philpot becomes the second Canadian receiver the Als have lost after Kaion Julien-Grant suffered a shoulder injury last month and was placed on the six-game injured list. With 12 players on the long-term injured list — not to mention starting quarterback Cody Fajardo, on the one-game list (hamstring) — the team’s depth has been tested. But Montreal seems to always have someone waiting, no injury until now too difficult to overcome.
Canadians Nate Behar and Shedler Fervius will replace Philpot. On Saturday, without Philpot, it was Charleston Rambo‘s moment to shine. The rookie import led the Als with six catches for 124 yards, scoring two touchdowns.
The defending Grey Cup champions have reached the halfway mark of the season with a CFL-leading 8-1 record.
“It’s the resiliency to find a way to win games,” general manager Danny Maciocia told The Gazette on Monday by telephone. “One of our top performers on offence went down. Everybody picked up the slack. Obviously Rambo’s coming into his own now. There seems to be a connection there with Davis (quarterback Alexander).
“It’s all the little things … the complementary football we’re used to seeing has been a little more evident the last few weeks. It offsets some of the people that aren’t there right now. We’re finding ways … of winning football games. That’s what impresses me the most right now.”
Rambo, 6-foot-1 and only 177 pounds, played collegiately at Oklahoma and Miami before brief NFL stints with Carolina and Philadelphia. He received an injury settlement from the Eagles last September, but didn’t sign with the Als until May 13, following the start of training camp. Rambo caught 79 passes for 1,172 yards while scoring seven touchdowns with the Hurricanes and earned second-team all-ACC honours.
“I watched every one of his catches at Miami,” Maciocia said, also crediting senior personnel executive Jean-Marc Edmé for his persistence in convincing Rambo to sign. “It’s the contested catches. He’d go up and come down with them more often than not. He would tight-rope the sideline. It’s all those explosive plays he was making. He also was an established blocker. He showed physicality at that position. He gave me the impression of being a complete receiver. A tough, physical receiver who would go up and get those 50/50 contested catches and be able to stretch the field vertically.”
While Rambo’s accomplishments against the Tiger-Cats can’t be diminished, Montreal’s defence set the tone in the first quarter. Middle-linebacker Darnell Sankey forced a fumble on the first play before intercepting a Bo Levi Mitchell pass over the middle, and into coverage, on the visitors’ next series. Mitchell was replaced on the next possession by Taylor Powell.
“I go into every game thinking it’s my night,” Sankey said post-game. “I go into every single game with the same mentality. I’m always trying to get the ball, always trying to make plays. This game it just happened on Play 1. I don’t approach the game any differently. I try to make my impact on the field known to everybody every single game.
“I’m fortunate,” he added. “Coach (defensive co-ordinator Noel) Thorpe puts me in tremendous opportunities to make plays.”
The Als also were able to establish the run against Hamilton, making Alexander’s job easier. Tailback Walter Fletcher gained 53 yards on eight carries while Sean Thomas-Erlington added 42 yards on four carries. Even return-specialist James Letcher Jr., received a rare opportunity to contribute offensively, gaining 21 yards on two attempts while catching one short-yardage pass. Letcher also returned three kickoffs for 108 yards.
“I’m proud of our offensive staff for being able to work through those plays that Tyson’s heavily involved in,” head coach Jason Maas said post-game. “The guys did a good job of adjusting.”
The team had the day off on Monday but will return to practice Tuesday.