The current quarterback class in the CFL is a concern, at full health.
The issue becomes that much more pressing when pivots start suffering injuries, as we’ve seen too often this season.
Just three quarterbacks have started every game for their respective teams — and we’re not even at the halfway mark of the season.
That number will shrink to two Friday with two-time reigning CFL most outstanding player Zach Collaros nursing a neck injury that took him out of last week’s game in Edmonton. He will be the third-string quarterback in Calgary.
Dru Brown replaced Collaros and was fantastic, leading Winnipeg back from a 22-0 deficit for a victory against the winless Elks. So, Winnipeg has every right to feel just fine about its chances Friday in Calgary against the struggling Stampeder when if Brown gets the start.
Meanwhile, Montreal Alouettes QB Cody Fajardo (shoulder) will be a game-time decision for the second week in a row on Saturday in Ottawa against the Redblacks. Caleb Evans replaced Fajardo last week and did the job in a win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Assuming Collaros is out, the two remaining starting quarterbacks not to have missed a game are Toronto Argonauts breakout star Chad Kelly and Jake Maier of the Stampeders. The latter has performed below expectations this season.
Kelly avoided serious injury two weeks ago when he exited a loss in Calgary with an ankle issue. He returned last week and was in top form in a win over Ottawa.
It’s not only starters getting hurt, either. Ottawa already has started four quarterbacks this year, while Hamilton Tiger-Cats rookie Taylor Powell is the third starting QB for his team. Jake Dolegala is expected to become Saskatchewan’s third starter on Sunday against the B.C. Lions.
But you really can’t pinpoint one or two reasons for all the injuries. CFL insider Justin Dunk feels the trend is a bit “fluky” — outside the fact that it’s natural that some players are going to get hurt in a violent sport.
Dunk says the league has made commendable efforts to protect its quarterbacks.
“At some point, quarterbacks are going to get hit hard,” he said.
Dunk points out that Ticats starter Bo Levi Mitchell was hurt on a garbage-time play (many felt he should have either kneeled or not been in the game) and Redblacks starter Jeremiah Masoli suffered a season-ending knee injury on a non-contact play.
Compare the CFL’s injury issues at the most important position to the NFL and there’s a striking difference, but also a key similarity.
The NFL’s top nine passers last year missed a grand total of zero regular-season games. However, a record 68 quarterbacks (on 32 teams) started NFL regular-season or playoff games last year.
Injuries to quarterbacks are going to be a thing, it seems, no matter what rules are in place. But the CFL could use a little more luck on this front, like the NFL has had with marquee players like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and Joe Burrow, to help develop more stars.
What We Liked in Week 10
• Brown’s performance in relief of an injured Collaros. Sure, it was against the Elks, but Brown was excellent.
• Kelly’s performance against the Redblacks. There was some thought Kelly might sit out after his ankle injury from the previous week. Turns out he was more than ready.
• A third punt-return touchdown of the season by Javon Leake of the Argonauts. Quickly turning into one of the most exciting players in the league.
• B.C. Lions quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. returning to early-season form in a blowout win over the Stampeders.
What We Didn’t Like in Week 10
• The Elks finding a new, unique way to lose yet another home game. Then, this week they parted ways with president Victor Cui. What a mess.
• The Roughriders continuing to look awful without injured starting quarterback Trevor Harris in a blowout loss in Montreal.
Power Rankings
1. Toronto Argonauts (7-1, first last week): Team now on its third and final bye week of the season. Not the ideal schedule.
2. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (6-2, 2nd last week): Found a way to avoid an embarrassing loss to the Elks.
3. B.C. Lions (6-2, 3rd last week): Nice response vs. Calgary after blowout loss in Winnipeg.
4. Montreal Alouettes (5-3, 4th last week): Jason Maas putting himself in the running for coach of the year.
5. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (3-5, 8th last week): You move up this much on a bye when the teams in the lower half of the league all look bad.
6. Ottawa Redblacks (3-6, 7th last week): QB Dustin Crum gave his team a chance to win in Toronto.
7. Calgary Stampeders (3-6, 5th last week): Maier needs to play better. Doesn’t get any easier against Winnipeg.
8. Saskatchewan Roughriders (4-5, 6th last week): Have lost four of their last five.
9. Edmonton Elks (0-9, 9th last week): Next five games are against Hamilton, Ottawa, Calgary (twice) and Saskatchewan. Gotta be a win in this stretch.
Week 11 Picks
Edmonton Elks at Hamilton Tiger-Cats (-5.5), Thursday, 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT: Third-stringer Powell starts at quarterback for Hamilton. Tre Ford, from nearby Niagara Falls, Ont., makes his second start in a row at QB for Edmonton. He won his CFL starting debut last year in Hamilton. PICK: Edmonton
Winnipeg Blue Bombers (-6.5) at Calgary Stampeders, Friday, 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT: Blue Bombers complete Alberta road trip with Brown back at the helm. PICK: Calgary
Montreal Alouettes (-2.5) at Ottawa Redblacks, Saturday, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT: Redblacks need this one to stay close in the playoff picture. PICK: Ottawa
B.C. Lions (-9.5) at Saskatchewan Roughriders, Sunday, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT: Lions 4-0 at home and 3-2 on the road. PICK: Saskatchewan
Odds from FanDuel as of Wednesday night.
2023 Picks Record: 17-22