Davis Alexander isn't the only Montreal Alouettes player. intends to play through a hamstring injury in the 112th Gray Cup..
Receiver Austin Mack was limited in practice all week and didn't get any reps with the starters while continuing to work with physical therapists. Despite all this, the receiver is committed to playing on Sunday.
“Yes, 100 percent, I’m playing,” he said. 3DownNation. “I'm committed to playing. I've had some limitations but I've been able to run the last two days. I'm feeling good; now we've got to deal with it and keep it on track to be ready for Sunday.”
When asked about Mack's response, head coach Jason Maas was reluctant to guarantee his availability to play. Receiver will most likely be listed as a decision during the game.
“We still have some things to learn,” Maas said. “He has another 48 hours and we're going to get to the point of making a decision on playing time. But I want to hear Austin Mack speak. That's the first step: the athlete has to believe he can do it. We still need to talk.”
Mac told 3DownNation that he pulled his hamstring a couple of weeks ago and has been receiving treatment ever since. He aggravated his injury in the Eastern final and took every possible precaution this week. When asked if the rehab week had gone well, he didn't hesitate.
“Yes, of course,” said Mac. “I'm totally on board with the game plan, I'm really focused. I'm just ready to go.”
It's hamstring injury season for the Alouettes, and Alexander is going through the same thing. The former Ohio State wide receiver joked about the difference between his treatment and his quarterback's treatment.
“Obviously, it's a little different. His job is a little simpler: He just has to throw the ball. I really have to run,” he said. “For me it's more aggressive. I need to get to a point where I can run and be consistent overall.”
Mack has caught 48 passes for 674 yards and two touchdowns this season. On Sunday, he hopes to add bigger roles to his resume and feels he has what it takes to perform on the big stage.
“Big players, they play big in big games. This is the best stage in the CFL,” he said. “I love being involved in games. I'm just excited about the opportunities.”
The six-foot-one, 208-pound man has been based in Montreal with his family since last year. spend the entire winter in the province of La Belle. He feels accepted by the community and wants Quebec to be respected.
“I completely agree. I came for a reason: to be someone you guys can count on,” he insisted. “The amount of disrespect that is shown in the province of Quebec and Montreal in most of this league and in this country is a lot. There was no Gray Coupe in Hamilton (in 2023) and I see that now. We want respect and show who we are.”
The Saskatchewan Roughriders (13-6) and Montreal Alouettes (12-8) will meet in the 112th Gray Cup at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg on Sunday, November 16, with kickoff scheduled for 6:00 pm EST.
The Alouettes defeated the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the East final by a score of 19-16, while the Roughriders came back to defeat the BC Lions in the West final by a score of 24-21. The teams split their two regular-season meetings, although Montreal quarterback Davis Alexander missed both games with a hamstring injury.
The weather forecast for Winnipeg calls for a high of two degrees, sun and clouds. The game will be broadcast on TSN, CTV and RDS in Canada, CBS Sports Network in the US and CFL+ worldwide.
This is the fifth time the Gray Cup will be held in Winnipeg and the second time it will be held at Princess Auto Stadium. The stadium's first Gray Cup was held in 2015, when the Edmonton football team defeated the Ottawa Redblacks 26–20 and Michael Reilly was named the game's MVP.
