Justin Lawrence sidelined as Montreal Alouettes make injury decision

The Montreal Alouettes have suffered an early injury setback after placing Canadian offensive lineman Justin Lawrence on the CFL’s six-game injured list.

The roster move appeared on the league’s transaction wire Monday after the 30-year-old was forced out of Montreal’s Week 1 clash against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats with a lower-body injury and was unable to return. Veteran lineman Cyrille Hogan-Saindon stepped in at centre following Lawrence’s exit.

According to the Alouettes’ official injury report, Lawrence is dealing with an ankle issue.

The Spruce Grove, Alberta native has built an impressive CFL résumé since being selected in the fifth round of the 2018 CFL Draft by the Calgary Stampeders. After spending three seasons in Calgary, Lawrence joined the Toronto Argonauts in free agency in 2022 before signing with Montreal the following year.

The six-foot-one, 308-pound offensive lineman has appeared in 107 regular-season CFL games, earning two All-East Division selections and winning three Grey Cup titles during his career.

Montreal were also without several players at practice on Monday, including running back Stevie Scott III (hamstring), receiver Cole Spieker (ankle), defensive lineman David Perales (hand), and defensive back Najee Murray (foot).

There was some positive news, however, as running back Travis Theis — who failed to finish last week’s game after starting — returned as a full participant in practice.

The Alouettes, fresh from an overtime win over Hamilton to open the season, will return to action on Friday, June 12, when they host the Toronto Argonauts at Percival Molson Stadium. Toronto enter the matchup after a Week 1 bye.

Weather forecasts in Montreal predict warm conditions with temperatures reaching 25°C and only a slight chance of rain for kickoff.