The day was supposed to belong to the Philpots.
A reunion of sorts at McMahon Stadium.
Twin brothers — drafted by different CFL teams — coming together again on the field that made them football famous.
“This was one that we definitely had marked our in our calendar,” said Calgary Stampeders receiver Jalen Philpot, of Saturday’s home game against the Montreal Alouettes (5 p.m., TSN, QR Calgary). “Especially with the CFL going back to everyone playing each other at away and at home this year.
“It’s a bummer.”
It is now that little bro Tyson has been ruled out for not only the contest but the remainder of the campaign.
A major injury and subsequent surgery — to put a screw in his foot — has kiboshed yet another meeting at McMahon for the former Calgary Dinos standout receivers, leaving only one of the twins — again — in the spotlight.
“I know we both wanted to play, for sure,” Jalen said. “Unfortunately, he’s out for the season. Tough injury — part of the game, so it’s something you can’t really control. We’d like to play on this field against each other at some point, but it looks like it’s not gonna happen until next year.”
In the past, it’s been Jalen himself unable to take the CFL field in Calgary when the Alouettes and the Stampeders were matched up.
Injury kept him out of the first contest just weeks after the twins were drafted — Jalen by the Stamps at No. 5, and Tyson by the Als at No. 9 back in 2022.
Then last year, Jalen missed the entire season with a serious hamstring issue, with the teams meeting twice — once in Calgary and once in Montreal.
In fact, the only CFL meeting of the two came earlier this year, when the Als survived a 30-26 battle during Week 5 action in La Belle Province. That would have meant a celebrated upset for the Stamps over the Grey Cup champs.
“My brother definitely got the win over me in that one, too,” admitted Jalen, who handled the ball just twice in gaining 11 yards. “I think Tyson had over 200 yards and some good catches. Definitely, I’ll be working hard to try and show him up a little bit (Saturday).
“And it’s definitely a redemption game for me. I’m going to be coming out on all cylinders. I’m feeling better every game. I’m feeling healthier every game. So maybe this will be a breakout game.”
At 4-8, the Stamps could use it.
Really, they are looking for any kind of spark against the 10-2 Alouettes to snap a four-game losing skid and set them in the right direction in the playoff race.
Stamps boss Dave Dickenson has wanted as much from his bunch during the last two weeks and feels his Philpot boasts the kind of talent to make that possible.
“The spark can come from anywhere,” said the Red and White GM/head coach. “It can come from a return, a pick-six, a big pass or doing just the little things and winning that time of possession and controlling the ball.
“But Jalen’s been playing pretty good,” continued Dickenson. “I believe he’s a good football player. He just hasn’t gotten as many opportunities maybe, and Jalen — to me — has always taken advantage of his opportunities. We’ll see what happens this week.”
So will all his loved ones on hand — the Philpot family — to watch him at McMahon.
While Tyson, the hero with the last-minute catch to give the Alouettes the win in last fall’s championship game, finishes this season with 779 receiving yards in nine games, Jalen’s got 451 — plus 86 rushing yards — in a dozen affairs.
“Yeah … definitely gonna try to be a spark,” Jalen said. “I like to go in against every team that I’m playing against and try to be that spark for our team, but even more, against the team that I know drafted my brother and thinks highly of my brother.
“I want to go out there against every team and leave my mark, but especially against this team. I’ll be out there throwing blocks a little bit harder, trying to get a win. I mean … we need it.”
Meanwhile, Jalen’s got his little brother’s back, as well.
Because, of course, he knows first-hand what it’s like to be sidelined for an extended period of time.
“I’ve just reached out and let him know I’ve been there,” added Jalen, who’s just seven minutes older than Tyson. “You’ve seen, obviously, that I’ve been able to overcome major injury and be able to come back out here and play the sport that I love.
“So I’m just giving him some reassurances. But again, that’s something that we both know is just a little setback. We like say it’s a little chapter in our story — it’s kind of a mindset for us.
“It’s just giving him essentially something to work on now. You know, it was the same thing for me. I feel like the love was reignited in myself with the major injury last year. So he’s just got to overcome a challenge now.”
SHORT YARDAGE
After being benched last week in the 36-17 loss to the host Edmonton Elks, QB Jake Maier returns as the starter for the Stamps against the Alouettes. QB Logan Bonner, last week’s starter, is off of the active roster … Also back in their starters’ role for the Stamps are DB Tre Roberson (quad) and OL D’Antne Demery (hand), while OL Bryce Bell (calf) is a game-time decision and DL Josiah Coatney (knee) and DB Bentlee Sanders (hamstring) have both been ruled out … Others checking into Saturday’s lineup are QB Matt Shiltz, LB Darius Williams, LB Jacob Roberts and DL Justin Sambu, while others checking out are DB Malcolm Thompson (hamstring), DL Elliot Graham (ankle), DL Eric Smith and DB Meiko Dotson.
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