Around the CFL: Why Alouettes WR Tyson Philpot is threatening the record book

If Tyson Philpot can stay healthy, the Montreal Alouettes wide receiver is confident he will produce at a high level.

After missing a combined 20 games with hamstring and foot injuries the past three years, the Canadian star has rocketed out of the starting gate this season and is on pace to take a shot at the CFL record book.

“My goals every year aren’t numbers,” the 25-year-old Philpot said in a telephone interview this week. “That 1,000 yards is a staple that I think all receivers going into the season try to get. But for me, it’s always play all 18 games. Be available for my team. That’s something I haven’t done since my rookie year (in 2022).”

With that in mind, Philpot made a few changes to his off-season routine following last year’s Grey Cup loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

The native of Delta, B.C., made a point of cleaning up his nutrition, acknowledging he “used to be a sweet-tooth guy with the refined sugars and that kind of stuff.”

The University of Calgary product also started working two or three times a week with Montreal-based athletic therapist Scott Suter on the recommendation of Als offensive co-ordinator and Hall of Fame quarterback Anthony Calvillo.

“He kept Anthony Calvillo alive for the back end of his career. He’s someone I see consistently,” Philpot said.

“… He’s a money man. We do a lot of acupuncture and a lot of IMS (intramuscular stimulation), dry needling and stuff and that’s been our recipe for success.”

The results have been outstanding.

Showcasing great chemistry with quarterback Davis Alexander, Philpot leads the CFL in targets (64), receptions (50) and receiving yards (807) through six games for the East-leading Alouettes (5-1). He is on pace for a league record 2,441 yards, well above the 2,036-yard season by Hall of Famer Allen Pitts of the Calgary Stampeders in 1994.

The top receiving season by a Canadian in the CFL was 1,662 yards for Hall of Famer Terry Evanshen of the Stampeders in 1967.

While he’d far prefer a second Grey Cup to any record, Philpot does appreciate history.

“When I think of the aspirations I’ve had for myself, it was never just to make it. It was to make it and to be the best,” said Philpot, who already is three yards above his career high, set last year.

The son of former B.C. Lions star running back Cory Philpot and the twin brother of Stamps receiver Jalen Philpot, Tyson Philpot hasn’t attracted much NFL interest since getting a workout with the Pittsburgh Steelers following his CFL rookie season.

The six-foot, 199-pound Philpot followed that up by being named top Canadian in the 2023 Grey Cup victory, scoring the winning touchdown in the dying seconds.

“Every year up until this one, I would always ask my agent, any NFL look, anything like that and I just kept hearing, ‘you’re a little bit too slow and your injuries is kind of why teams are staying away from you. But put up some serious numbers and prove you can stay healthy and who knows, they could give you another shot.’ I think that’s something that still fires me (up) to be the best,” Philpot said.

Philpot loves playing in Montreal, and signed an extension with the Als through 2027 in the off-season. He broke into the league with Alexander, and the two quickly developed a tight bond.

“We’re both west-coast boys. We came in together in 2022 on the scout team,” Philpot said.

“I’ve always kind of drifted to quarterbacks, always been friends with my quarterbacks. But there’s something about Davis and me, since we came in together. We’d watch football together. He’d be like my third twin. We’d be saying the same thing, seeing the football game the same. We both kind of realized that and we were more alike than we are not alike. I think that’s something that spills out on the football field. I’m just in the right place for him when he scrambles and vice versa.”

The Als will try to keep rolling when they entertain the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the Week 8 finale on Sunday, which also happens to be Philpot’s 26th birthday.

The last two times the Lions needed a quarterback to fill in for Nathan Rourke for an extended period, they turned to the experienced Vernon Adams Jr. in 2022 and ’24.

It will be a much different story this time around with the Canadian star expected to miss several weeks with a shoulder injury suffered on the opening drive last week in a 19-17 loss to the Edmonton Elks.

Chase Brice, 28, who came to the Lions in 2023 but has played only sparingly, replaced Rourke last week and threw one touchdown and four interceptions.

He’ll make his first career start Saturday when the Lions host the Toronto Argonauts.

“For him, it’s an opportunity,” Lions head coach Buck Pierce told reporters. “I think his teammates are excited. You look at the energy out here (on the first day of practice this week) and the way they’re responding to him, that’s a big deal. And he’s a confident guy. He’s had a great pre-season. He made some really good plays and learned some lessons and (had) some growth last week. We’re excited to see him.”

With the Lions at 1-4, the team’s first game at BC Place this year is a huge contest for the home side. If the Lions can at least tread water until Rourke returns, they’ll have a shot to make a second-half charge.

“I feel like we’ve been on the road for nine weeks, two byes and all of that,” Brice said. “I’m excited to play in front of our fan base and be back in BC Place.”

Edmonton Elks (5-1) at Saskatchewan Roughriders (4-1), Thursday, 9 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CST

The battle for first in the West will be an emotional night following the fatal crash involving Roughriders team captain Jayden Dalke last weekend.

Calgary Stampeders (2-4) at Winnipeg Blue Bombers (4-2), Friday, 8:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. CT

It appears Dru Brown will make his third consecutive start at quarterback for the Blue Bombers in place of the injured Zach Collaros (neck). The Bombers have won both games with Brown, but are on a short week for this tilt after playing into overtime last Sunday in Ottawa.

Toronto Argonauts (2-4) at B.C. Lions (1-4), Saturday, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT

The Argos wrap up a season-opening, seven-game road swing, while the Lions make their 2026 debut at BC Place after both teams had to leave their home stadiums for the World Cup.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats (3-3) at Montreal Alouettes (5-1), Sunday, 7 p.m. ET

A rematch of the CFL season opener, won 30-27 by the visiting Als in overtime. Canadian Tre Ford is in for the injured Bo Levi Mitchell at QB for the Ticats for the second week in a row after looking good last time out in a win over Toronto.