(Trois-Rivières) Receiver Tyson Philpot has not practiced with his Montreal Alouettes teammates since May 26. Could he miss the start of the season?
On Wednesday, after training for his team at the Diablos stadium at Cégep de Trois-Rivières, head coach Jason Maas made it clear that he should not be counted on to talk about the injuries suffered by his proteges.
“I’m going to arrest you right now: if you ask about player injuries, I’m never going to give you an answer,” he replied to a scribe who was worried about the state of health. offensive lineman Landon Rice, who skipped a few reps in the first unit on Wednesday, and wing Nick Usher, who hasn’t practiced all week.
“If you want to keep asking me about it, that will always be my answer,” he continued. I do not believe in the systematic disclosure of injuries suffered by players. You can tell me about their performance on the pitch, but for injuries, I won’t say anything. We will disclose what we need to disclose when we have to. »
The fact remains that Philpot wore neither equipment nor cleats and limited himself to long drills mostly targeting his hamstrings around the edges of the pitch.
If the Canadian receiver were to be forced into inactivity, his absence will be felt. Philpot, a first-round pick, ninth overall, in 2022, caught 39 passes for 459 yards and two touchdowns. He was in uniform for all 18 Alouettes games, during which he was also used in return kicks. In 24 occasions, he returned the ball for 511 yards. Statistics that earned him the title of Rookie of the Year in the Canadian Football League.
He is already assured that he will not be in the last preseason game this Friday at Percival-Molson Stadium, against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
In his absence, the first receiving unit consisted of newcomers Greg Ellingson and Austin Mack, as well as Cole Spieker and Canadians Kaion Julien-Grant and Hergy Mayala.
Of the lot, it is Mayala who has benefited the most so far. Mayala has signed a new pact with the team just days before the start of training camp, having played in all 18 games for the club last year.
“I only received the playbook a week before camp (Editor’s note: the other players received it two months before it was launched) and I had to work hard to learn it,” said Mayala. I want to be a guy who can be inserted into all positions and who can be ready to play. […] I am ready to do whatever I am asked to do, at a very high level. »
“Hergy did very well. One of the reasons we signed him is his versatility, Maas said. He is a professional in every aspect of the term. He trains hard every day and we are delighted with what he has brought to camp. »
“Hergy is a starter in my opinion, regardless of what happens with the other receivers, in this case Tyson Philpot,” added receivers coach Mike Lionello. When I found out that we were bringing him back, I was very happy. It’s like a sixth starter, which can be inserted anywhere in the formation.
“He had to learn the playbook very quickly, but he’s very smart and he caught up quickly. […] He’s also one of the best blockers in the league: it’s very good news to see him here. »
In 18 games in 2022, he caught 33 passes for 409 yards and two majors — numbers similar to Philpot’s. Like the latter, Mayala was also a first-round pick, eighth overall, by the Calgary Stampeders in 2019.
He also played his first two seasons in the Alberta metropolis. Mayala caught 67 passes for 846 yards and five touchdowns — all in his first season — for the Stamps.
According to Lionello, the 27-year-old Congo native had a very good camp and his versatility would allow the club to use him in all five receiver positions when needed. A Canadian player like Philpot, his inclusion in the starting lineup would not upset the Alouettes’ ratio.
Lionello still has about 20 receivers in camp, and he admitted tough decisions will have to be made by Saturday’s 10 p.m. deadline to return his roster of 45 players and 18-member practice roster. This is a fine problem for the coach, who prefers to have a large pool of players to make his choices.
“It was worth it because we needed to find game makers and we saw several of them,” he said. I tip my hat to the scouting team, because they went looking for a lot of talent. Several will be used again on Friday. »
“I don’t know if the picture is clearer, but among those who have played both games, then we will have a good idea of what they can contribute,” said Maas. They have one last chance to show what they can do. »
“If you complete the games, we’re not going to cut you out,” Lionello concluded.
