Rambo to make 2026 debut on Friday in Hamilton

The Alouettes will be making seven changes to their lineup this week, including the addition of veteran receiver Charleston Rambo. The 27-year-old signed with the Als last week after being a free agent since last February.

“Rambo is as advertised,” head coach Jason Maas said. “He’s ready to play. He’s in shape, he’s catching the ball well, and he knows our offence. That was the beauty of going out and getting him late in the year was that. He’s a veteran receiver that knows our system and that we can rely on and trust.”

He had 585 receiving yards and three touchdowns in 17 regular season games in 2025. Rambo made a key reception in the 2025 East Final in Hamilton to help get the Alouettes in field goal range for the game-winning kick.

The Alouettes will be featuring a new kick returner on Friday, as Mekhi Mews will make his CFL debut.

“We watched him return in college and he did a very good job,” Maas said of Mews. “He did a good job as a receiver from the clips I watched. He’s here for a reason. It’s like we always say, our guys are here because of their ability, toughness and effort they’ve shown prior to their stop here. Since he’s been here, he’s done a good job of learning our system and doing the things we’ve asked him to do. He’ll be ready to play.”

Mews is getting an opportunity to suit up after star returner DeVonte Dedmon suffered an injury in Vancouver last Saturday night.

Cornerback Kabion Ento was also hurt against B.C. while Don Callis was suspended for one game for his involvement in the scuffle on the Als sideline last week.

With those two players being unavailable, rookie Neil Campbell will make his CFL debut and his first start.

Running back Shomari Lawrence, Marco Dubois and Lwal Uguak will all jump into the lineup. Cole Spieker, Liam Talbot and David Perales will all miss the contest.

Change with short yardage quarterback

The other change that the Alouettes will make will come at quarterback where Terry Wilson will be swapped out for Caleb Evans.

Evans is expected to take over the short yardage duties.

Evans has spent the last three seasons with the Als. He suffered a season-ending knee injury last year in B.C. and wasn’t re-signed when his contract expired in February.

The 28-year-old has proven to be one of the top quarterbacks at performing the sneak. He had an impressive 16 rushing touchdowns in 2022, and he added 14 rushing majors in 36 games as an Alouette.

Tough matchup against a division rival

Even though the Alouettes won the first two games against the Tiger-Cats, they know Friday’s matchup won’t be easy.

In both contests, the Ticats defence played very well, as they were able to limit the explosive plays by the Als offence.

“They play fundamentally sound defence,” quarterback Davis Alexander said of the Ticats. “They do a good job of minimizing explosions. They’re a well-coached group, and they’re definitely a fun defence to watch.

“A lot of the team’s we’re playing are forcing us to play a little more patient just because of our big-play ability. As long as I do my job, that should get us in the right spots.”

Bye week coming up

The Alouettes are clearly banged up heading into this game, but there is some good news on the horizon. After Friday’s clash against Hamilton, they’ll get to enjoy some time away from the field as they’ll be heading into their third and final bye week of the regular season.

Their next game will be played at home against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Oct. 3.