Around the CFL: Rourke's return highlights strange final week of season

For the first time since 1996, games in the final week of the CFL regular season will have no impact on the playoff picture.

However, there is plenty to monitor when it comes to individual performances as the post-season looms.

Here are some players to keep an eye on over the next two days.

B.C. Lions QB Nathan Rourke

After a foot injury derailed a potential most-outstanding-player campaign in August, the Canadian quarterback is set to take his first reps since surgery on Friday in Winnipeg against the Blue Bombers.

Coach Rick Campbell says Rourke will start and play about a quarter.

Some quality reps should help the second-year starter heading into next week’s West semifinal against the visiting Calgary Stampeders.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats QB Dane Evans

It didn’t look good when Evans exited last week’s game against the visiting Ottawa Redblacks in the fourth quarter with a thumb injury.

However, Evans was back practising Tuesday, three days after the Ticats locked up the league’s final playoff berth.

Evans should see time in Ottawa on Friday, allowing him to gear up for the East semifinal in Montreal against the Alouettes.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers WR Greg Ellingson

The four-time division all-star has missed the past seven games with hip and foot injuries.

Ellingson was back at practice this week and could give surefire MOP Zach Collaros another dangerous target in the West final in Winnipeg on Nov. 13.

Toronto Argonauts QB Chad Kelly

A high-profile off-season addition, Kelly has primarily seen garbage time and short-yardage reps this season behind league-leading passer McLeod Bethel-Thompson.

The nephew of legendary Buffalo Bills QB Jim Kelly and a former NFLer, Chad Kelly is slated to start this week against visiting Montreal.

It will mark Kelly’s first start since he was at Ole Miss in 2016.

The Argos will host the East final on Nov. 13.

Calgary Stampeders QB Bo Levi Mitchell

After losing the top job to Jake Maier earlier this year, this figures to be Mitchell’s final home game as a Stampeder.

Expect a rousing ovation for one of the best players in the CFL over the last decade.

B.C. Lions WR Lucky Whitehead

Whitehead returns after missing the past three games with an ankle injury.

He needs 34 receiving yards to hit 1,000 on the season.

B.C. Lions RB James Butler

Butler is 34 yards back of Ka'Deem Carey (1,088 rushing yards) of the Calgary Stampeders for the rushing lead. Carey won't play on Saturday.

The receiving race also is close – Winnipeg rookie star Dalton Schoen leads at 1,357 with B.C.’s Dominique Rhymes (1,346) and Montreal’s Eugene Lewis (1,303) within striking distance.

Eye on 2023

We know the Redblacks have to name a full-time head coach after firing Paul LaPolice and elevating Bob Dyce to interim coach for the final four games of the season.

The big question now is in Saskatchewan, where the Roughriders unravelled and missed the playoffs in a year in which they will host the Grey Cup.

Head coach Craig Dickenson and general manager Jeremy O’Day both are on the hot seat.

Meanwhile, the Alouettes will name a head coach after their playoff run ends. GM Danny Maciocia stepped into the job after four games this year, but has said he does not want to be in both roles next season.

There’s also the inevitable quarterback shuffle.

With Cody Fajardo losing his No. 1 job last week, many have linked Mitchell to the Roughriders.

What we liked in Week 20

• The walk-off rouge by Argos kicker Boris Bede in Montreal. Nothing like a missed field goal to end a game!

• The play of Canadian running back Sean Thomas Erlington (104 yards on 13 carries) for the Tiger-Cats after injuries to other players forced him into more action.

What we didn’t like in Week 20

• Another poor Roughriders performance, eliminating the team from the playoffs at home.

• The Alouettes having too many men on the field on the walk-off rouge. The Argos would have got another chance had Alouettes returner Chandler Worthy not caught the ball with his foot on the back line.

Week 21 picks

B.C. Lions at Winnipeg Blue Bombers (-3.5), Friday, 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT

All eyes will be on Rourke here. Same two teams could very easily meet again on the same field in the West final. PICK: B.C.

Montreal Alouettes at Toronto Argonauts (-3), Saturday, 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT

Same scenario as previous game with teams potentially meeting in the same venue in the East final. PICK: Montreal

Hamilton Tiger-Cats (-1.5) at Ottawa Redblacks, Saturday, 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT

Redblacks will start Caleb Evans at QB. Team is 1-2 under interim coach Bob Dyce. PICK: Ottawa

Saskatchewan Roughriders at Calgary Stampeders (-5.5), Saturday, 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT

Mason Fine makes his second straight start at QB for the Roughriders. PICK: Calgary

Odds from FanDuel as of Thursday.

2022 record: 40-37

Power rankings

1. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (14-3, Last week: 1): For the second year in a row, Bombers have a lengthy layoff between meaningful games as they prepare to host the West final.

2. B.C. Lions (12-5, Last week: 2): With Rourke coming back, a Grey Cup run certainly seems possible. Lions haven’t captured the title since 2011.

3. Toronto Argonauts (11-6, Last week: 3): Have home field for the East final for the second year in a row. Didn’t take advantage of it last season.

4. Calgary Stampeders (11-6, Last week: 4): With a 7-2 road record, Stamps won’t be intimidated of trying to make a Grey Cup run away from home.

5. Montreal Alouettes (8-9, Last week: 5): Missed chance to set up a showdown for first in the East on Saturday with a narrow loss to visiting Argonauts last week.

6. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (7-10, Last week: 6): Late-season surge has put the Ticats into the playoffs.

7. Ottawa Redblacks (4-13, Last week: 8): Showed fight last week in Hamilton before their playoff hopes ended on a last-play field goal.

8. Saskatchewan Roughriders (6-11, Last week: 7): Collapsed down the stretch with issues on and off the field.

9. Edmonton Elks (4-14, Last week: 9): Will carry a CFL record 17-game home losing streak into next season.

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