Anthony Brown is set to start for Montreal against the redblacks in the second preseason game, giving the quarterback another live audition after missing the first exhibition because of an injury in camp. The move keeps the Alouettes' third-string quarterback battle in focus as the roster deadline approaches over the weekend.
Maas Turns to Brown
Jason Maas put Brown in the first lineup, and the quarterback will share the workload with James Morgan and Arnaud Desjardins. Brown returned to practice this week after the scrimmage injury that kept him out of the opener.
The assignment comes with a narrower supporting cast. Tyson Philpot, Tyler Snead, Cole Spieker, Alexander Hollins, and Jerreth Sterns will not be in uniform against Ottawa, while Brown will work with Austin Watkins, Zakhari Franklin, Nathan Udoh, DeMeer Blankumsee, and Terique Owens.
Blankumsee And Lawrence
DeMeer Blankumsee drew attention in the first preseason game with a convincing performance, so Brown will at least have one receiver who already flashed in live action. Shomari Lawrence will be the only ball carrier in uniform for Montreal.
That leaves Brown operating with a trimmed group while Montreal evaluates who can still separate in the third-string race. Desjardins was the only Montreal quarterback to lead the offense to a touchdown in the first preseason game, and Dustin Crum is among the available quarterbacks behind Davis Alexander even though he is not expected to see much action Friday night.
Roster Decisions For Montreal
The game lands in the middle of a short runway. Montreal must finalize its official roster over the weekend, then begin preparations for the season opener against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on June 4.
Brown's start gives him one more chance to make a case before the group tightens again. Montreal's first home game is set for June 12 at Percival Molson Stadium against the Toronto Argonauts, and the quarterback picture should be clearer by then.
