QB Davis Alexander to face Argos as Alouettes look to regain rhythm on offence

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On the heels of a two-game losing streak, the timing couldn’t be better for the return of Alouettes starting quarterback Davis Alexander, because it appears the team can’t win without him.

The Als were well on their way to a third straight victory when Alexander suffered a hamstring injury during the third quarter at Edmonton on June 19. Montreal was leading 24-6 at the time and held on for a 38-28 victory. Backup QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson led the visitors to one touchdown and two field goals offensively.

But with Bethel-Thompson thrust into the starting role, the Als lost at Hamilton and at home against B.C. on July 5 before a bye week in the schedule.

“McLeod did his best,” receiver Tyson Philpot said. “As an offence, we weren’t making it any easier on him, for sure. Who knows if we would have won those games with Davis in there? You can’t predict. It’s just a rhythm thing, and we never got into rhythm. Not to say it was McLeod’s fault. Just as an offence, we couldn’t find the rhythm.”

While the Als (3-2) could use a win, they remain tied for first place in the East Division with Hamilton. But the visiting Toronto Argonauts (1-4) are on the brink of becoming desperate and don’t look anything like the defending Grey Cup champions. The teams meet for the second time this season Thursday at Molson Stadium (7:30 p.m., TSN1, TSN4, TSN5, RDS, TSN Radio-690, 98.5 FM). Montreal opened the schedule with a 28-10 victory at home against the Argos on June 6.

“It’s a different offence, a tough offence to understand,” Alexander said. “That B.C. game, I felt McLeod played more than well enough for us to win. We had some crucial penalties and mistakes. Sometimes it’s just an energy thing. Little things like that can throw a team off, but I thought he played well.”

A hamstring injury last season to former starter Cody Fajardo opened the door for Alexander, and he seized the opportunity. Fajardo never appeared to regain his swagger upon his return, although he had to miss a game when he was inducted to the Nevada Sports Hall of Fame, and he continued playing despite a late-reason rib injury.

The Als traded Fajardo to Edmonton last winter for Bethel-Thompson.

“It (hamstring) isn’t one of those things you can play through,” Alexander explained. “It’s literally your running muscle. When it happened there was no pop. Just a tug and a slight pull. It’s a weird thing. I didn’t know how to describe it until this year. It’s like a constant, subtle pain. You feel it there, especially after the game and for a couple of weeks after. The problem is you think your hamstring is good, and then it’s not — but you don’t know that. Based on the imaging, we feel confident and good.”

Alexander was a potential CFL outstanding player candidate at the time of his injury and might re-enter the equation with a string of solid performances. He has completed 62 of 82 passes for 803 yards and five touchdowns while being intercepted twice. With 64 yards on six carries, Alexander also is a threat to run. Time will tell whether the injury makes him more reluctant to run, although he’s always played on the edge.

Head coach Jason Maas doesn’t anticipate any rust.

“He has proven he can play at a high level,” Maas said. “It’s just a matter of him being in there and being healthy enough to do that. I expect him to run the offence just as efficiently as he did when he left.”

Receiver Austin Mack also returns against Toronto after missing two games with a hamstring injury. Philpot (knee) was limited during Tuesday’s practice. While he’s on the roster, he has been listed as a game-time decision. Left offensive-tackle Nick Callender returns from a foot injury.

Defensively, linebacker Tiawan Mullen was released on Tuesday and has been replaced by Robert Kennedy, who will make his CFL debut. Kennedy was on Hamilton’s practice roster last season.

“I’ll do whatever it takes to win,” Alexander said. “I’ve said that my whole career. I don’t care if we run the ball 45 times. I don’t care if I don’t throw the ball, as long as we win. That’s my priority. These guys know this is going to be a battle. I’m not going to say it’s a must-win for them, but I’m sure they feel they’ve got to get something rolling here soon.”

Toronto QB Chad Kelly, who sustained a fractured leg in last season’s division final against Montreal, remains on the injured list. Nick Arbuckle will start for the Argos.