Alouettes face daunting task vs. Lions with Caleb Evans at QB

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And so it has come to this.

On the heels of a two-game losing skid, the Alouettes are down to Caleb Evans, their third-string quarterback. And because of the lightning and heavy rain that hit the Montreal area on Wednesday, the Als cancelled practice — holding a walk-through at Olympic Stadium instead. That means they practised only once outdoors this week before heading to B.C. for Saturday night’s game against the Lions.

The Als’ last victory in Vancouver came in 2015. Indeed, Montreal has won only three games this century in B.C.

Evans replaced McLeod Bethel-Thompson in the second half last Friday, against Edmonton, completing 14 of 18 passes for 113 yards — and Montreal’s only offensive touchdown — in a 23-22 loss. Head coach Jason Maas indicated after the game Evans would probably start against the Lions. That decision became moot when Bethel-Thompson (elbow) was placed on the six-game injured list on Wednesday.

While Bethel-Thompson had an ice pack on his right elbow during the second half against Edmonton, Maas indicated his decision was based on performance. Bethel-Thompson has a 1-4 record since replacing the injured Davis Alexander. While Bethel-Thompson completed 10 of 15 passes for 79 yards against Edmonton, he was intercepted late in the half by Tyrell Ford, who returned it 87 yards for a touchdown.

“He (Bethel-Thompson) has an injury,” Maas said. “He has been fighting through it and trying to give us the best he can give us. There’s a lot of things he still could do — and do well. Obviously the performance is the performance. That’s why we went a different direction in the second half. The performance was part of that.

“When you’re playing that position injured and trying to fight through things, at times things just don’t go your way. Right now, it’s best to give Bethel some rest. Physically get him back to 100 per cent.”

The 27-year-old Evans — 10 years younger than Bethel-Thompson and infinitely more mobile — has won games for the Als.

In August 2023 he replaced the injured Cody Fajardo, leading Montreal to wins against Saskatchewan and at Ottawa. But he struggled against Toronto last July when called upon to replace Fajardo. And when that performance didn’t improve in the next game, against the Roughriders, he was replaced by Alexander to start the second half.

Evans suffered a season-ending knee injury last August, forcing the team to sign Dominique Davis.

Evans will be backed up against B.C. by James Morgan, who has never played a down in the CFL. The Als this week also signed Cameron Dukes, who was released by the Argonauts at training camp. He passed for 1,444 yards and seven touchdowns in portions of 10 games last season, but also was intercepted six times. He spent two seasons with Toronto.

Maas bristled when it was suggested the Als, 10 games into the season, are down to their third option at quarterback.

“Have we won games with our backups? Yes,” Maas said. “We don’t look and worry about that. You have to be ready to play. We’ll get him as ready as he can be. He then has to perform to his ability, our offence’s and our team’s capability. You don’t just win it with Caleb. It’s never on one guy.

“Each week presents itself a new challenge. We’ve all put our heads together to figure out what’s the best roster to put together. And have confidence in it. It’s no different this week. We just have a longer list of injuries.”

As much as the situation isn’t ideal for the Als — they’re also missing injured receivers Tyson Philpot and Austin Mack, along with tailback Sean Thomas Erlington — they must attempt to make the adjustment to Evans as seamless as possible.

“We have to focus, as receivers, to playing to his strengths,” Tyler Snead said. “Being in the right spots. Make sure we make his job as easy as possible. Quarterback is the hardest job out there. Any chance we have to take something off of him and make it easier.

“He can run and get out of the pocket. Extend plays and make plays downfield. I think he brings a different type of energy and schemes for teams to worry about. I’m excited to see how it plays out.”

With the Als leading 19-11 against Edmonton early in the fourth quarter, Snead decided to return a 54-yard field goal attempt — only to fumble inside the Montreal 10. Two plays later, the Elks scored a touchdown.

With an eight-point lead, the Als coaches called for a return, if required, obviously not anticipating Snead, only 5-foot-7 and 175 pounds, would run into a brick wall and give up the ball.

“Obviously I can’t let that happen,” he admitted. “That one’s on me. That was the moment I thought really cost the game.”