Strong opening game allays injury fears for Alouettes' Tyson Philpot

Article content

When Tyson Philpot made the game-winning catch in the Alouettes’ 2023 Grey Cup victory against Winnipeg, he ended the franchise’s 13-year drought between CFL championships.

But when Philpot scored Montreal’s first touchdown this season late in the first quarter of last Friday’s victory against Toronto, the Canadian receiver arguably made the most important reception of his career.

“That one was special,” Philpot said. “You truly never know how big your impact’s going to be coming off an injury like that. Being a spark for my team, showing everybody that I’m back and you can rally behind that. It definitely added some excitement to the team.”

Philpot suffered a season-ending Lisfranc fracture to his right foot against Hamilton on Aug. 8, when his cleats got stuck in the Molson Stadium turf. Despite playing only half the season, he was en route to a career year, having caught 58 passes for 779 yards and five touchdowns in nine games. He surpassed 100 yards in three of those contests, including a season-high game against Calgary when he caught 12 passes for 134 yards.

A steel rod was inserted into Philpot’s foot, and he has been assured by surgeons the injury can’t reoccur. At the same time, he also underwent ankle surgery to remove a bone spur. Philpot spent five months riding a scooter to get around and eight months in total recovering. There were no guarantees he’d be ready for training camp — he was held out of both exhibition games — or the opening game.

Philpot caught four passes for 48 yards against the Argonauts last week, including his 26-yard over-the-shoulder touchdown reception. He could have scored on the Als’ opening drive, but was overthrown by quarterback Davis Alexander while open in the end zone.

Philpot and Alexander will attempt to build on that Friday, when they meet the Ottawa Redblacks at TD Place (7:30 p.m., TSN1, TSN5, RDS, TSN Radio-690, 98.5 FM) in the first of three straight road games.

The Redblacks are coming off a season-opening loss at Saskatchewan and will be without injured starting quarterback Dru Brown (hip). He’ll be replaced by former Alouette Matthew Shiltz.

Montreal also has made roster changes. Receiver Charleston Rambo is getting married and has been placed on the suspended list, while left offensive-tackle Nick Callender (foot) is being replaced by 6-foot-5, 303-pound Des Holmes, who spent portions of two seasons with Ottawa, but never played. Return-specialist James Letcher Jr. will receive some additional playing time in Rambo’s place.

While he’s in his fourth season with the Als, the injury was the first significant hurdle of Philpot’s career — and it cast some doubts in his mind.

“I was thinking about whether I was going to get back to 100 per cent. You always have those doubts,” he said. “That’s an injury that happens to two per cent of the population. I had lots of trust in the rehab process, believing in myself that when I got back on the field, I could get back to my standards. As we approached camp (last month) I still wasn’t feeling that great.”

But all of Philpot’s anxiety disappeared with that one reception. He said his confidence immediately skyrocketed.

“I wanted to make a play,” he said. “I wanted to make an impact in the first game, but you never know what kind of impact you’re truly going to have. To catch a ball like that, at home, definitely my confidence is through the roof. I know I’m back to my standards and I can put out every week. Proving to the team they can trust me.

“I’m definitely never going to let (Alexander) overthrow me again. I told him that.”

Like any receiver, Philpot’s minimal goal is to reach 1,000 yards for the first time in his career. Selected ninth overall in 2022, the 24-year-old also has bigger goals, including being named the league’s top Canadian and most outstanding player. Winnipeg tailback Brady Oliveira captured both last season.

“I definitely believe I can be an elite receiver,” Philpot said. “I know the calibre of player I am. As long as I’m on the field, I know I can get those stats and goals I think about, and dream about, every night. Ratio aside, I want to be the best.”