Alouettes prepare for return of QB Cody Fajardo vs. Elks

Montreal Alouettes quarterback Cody Fajardo is expected to return to the starting lineup Sunday night against the visiting Edmonton Elks.

Fajardo (hamstring) was injured July 11 in a 37-18 home loss to the Toronto Argonauts.

The Alouettes (9-1) have won four in a row with Davis Alexander at quarterback, but coach Jason Maas said that Fajardo is still his No. 1.

"He's our starting quarterback and when he's ready and healthy, he'll be playing," Maas said. "Up until his injury, Cody was playing as good as anybody in the league and we were winning. He's done nothing but be a great quarterback and led us to a Grey Cup title last season."

In Fajardo's absence, Alexander passed for 972 yards with six touchdowns and one interception. He was 22-for-33 with 285 yards passing and a touchdown Aug. 16 in a 27-24 road win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

"This is Cody's team. We all know that," Alexander told The Montreal Gazette. "I hope nothing happens to him. That would be the only way I see myself going into the game."

Montreal will be bolstered by the return of receiver Austin Mack, who had 78 catches for 1,154 yards and four receiving touchdowns and was a CFL All-Star last season. Mack is back after being released by the NFL's Atlanta Falcons.

The Elks (3-7) have won three straight behind their strong ground game.

In their most recent game, Justin Rankin ran for 108 yards and three touchdowns in Edmonton's 47-22 victory over the host Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Aug. 17.

Edmonton quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson was 15-for-23 for 234 yards and two touchdowns passing. Bethel-Thompson could make a second straight start if Tre Ford (rib/chest) cannot play.

Javon Leake ran for 266 yards and four TDs on 33 carries (8.1-yard average) over the first two wins in the streak but was limited to 12 yards against Hamilton because of a hip injury.

"I don't know where (the rushing attack) has been but it's here now and it's here to stay," Edmonton interim coach Jarious Jackson said. "When the weather starts to get cold and it gets later into the season, you've got to have a run game."

Edmonton is 3-2 under Jackson, who was offensive coordinator before taking over after Chris Jones was fired July 15.

"Guys are starting to believe," Jackson said. "They understand if they're the more physical team on game day, then a lot of times it helps us win games."

--Field Level Media