It’s no secret that the injury bug has taken a large bite out of the Montreal Alouettes through 11 games in 2025. At one point this year, the Als were down more than 10 starters and they’ve also been forced to start four different quarterbacks this season. But there was some good news on the field on Tuesday.

Several players that have been out were able to participate in a full practice for the first time in a long time. Receivers Austin Mack and Tyson Philpot as well as running back Sean Thomas Erlington, fullback David Dallaire, defensive tackle Mustafa Johnson, safety Marc-Antoine Dequoy and returner James Letcher Jr. were all able to fully participate in the on-field session.

Philpot suffered a hamstring injury in Week 5 against the B.C. Lions and hasn’t suited up since. The 25-year-old has 284 yards receiving and three touchdowns in five contests.

“It’s been a long time,” Philpot said.

“Unfortunately (the injuries) feel like a recurring conversation we have every year. It sucks, but I do what I can to get back on the field and help this team out.

“I’ve never been part of something like that where we have so many stars out at one point. Hopefully, we’re getting past that. We’ve done a good rehab plan. A lot of guys are coming back after the bye week. We’re just hoping to be healthy and show everyone what we’re about when we’re at full strength.”

Despite losing four games in a row, the Alouettes could grab a share of first place with a win over the visiting Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Saturday afternoon. The Ticats are on a three-game slide of their own after losing in the dying moments of Monday’s game against the Toronto Argonauts.

“We’ve dealt with a lot of adversity over the last month,” head coach Jason Maas explained. “All that makes us a stronger and better football team in my opinion. Now it’s about going out there and earning it every single day. That was more the message.”

This will be the second and final regular season matchup between the Als and Ticats. Hamilton took the first meeting, 35-17, back on June 27. For the Alouettes to win the season series, they’ll have to win the game by 19 points.

“It’s motivating for sure,” Dequoy said of being able to play for first place in the East. “It’s a really important game. We have the opportunity to play the team who is first the division right now…First place is important because you can go get that extra bye week. It’s always an advantage when you can get more rest. You can practice that whole week and not have to play (the East Semi-Final). But my view on first place has changed with the way the 2023 and 2024 seasons went for us. I think you have to aim to finish first, but the goal should be to make the playoffs. We’ll look to make the playoffs and then we’ll focus on first place. If you want to finish first though, these are the types of games you have to go win.”

Quarterback Davis Alexander and receiver Tyler Snead were both limited participants on Tuesday. Alexander has missed the last five games with a hamstring injury.