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After beginning season fourth on depth chart, 6-foot-4, 230-pound pivot prepares to make first CFL start and halt Montreal’s three-game skid.
Author of the article:
Montreal Gazette
Montreal Gazette
Herb Zurkowsky
Published Aug 20, 2025 • Last updated 57 minutes ago • 3 minute read
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"As a pro athlete, you get thrown some tough stuff sometimes. You have to objectively go on the field and execute your job, regardless of how you feel or what's going on," says Montreal Alouettes quarterback James Morgan, handing off to Travis Theis during the second half against the B.C. Lions in Vancouver on Aug. 16, 2025. Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press
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It’s not unusual for the fourth-string quarterback to spend 30 minutes after practice throwing to receivers.
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But James Morgan is now the Alouettes’ starter after a series of injuries to Davis Alexander, McLeod Bethel-Thompson and Caleb Evans. And although Morgan will start for Montreal Thursday (7:30 p.m., TSN1, TSN3, RDS, TSN Radio-690, 98.5 FM) at Molson Stadium against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, he spent additional time following Tuesday’s workout at Stade Hébert throwing to receivers.
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“That’s just the way I approach it, and it’s not just me. It’s everybody out here,” said the 28-year-old native of Green Bay, Wis. “Even when there’s one minute until the bus leaves (back to Olympic Stadium) there’s still 20 guys on the field. That’s the one cool thing about this team. Everybody’s dialed in and willing to do the extra work. You definitely feed off that, especially somebody like me.”
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Morgan, 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, became the Als’ starter early in the second quarter of Saturday’s loss at B.C., when Caleb Evans suffered a season-ending torn ACL in his right knee. Evans was replacing Bethel-Thompson (elbow), who was filling in for Alexander (hamstring).
All have been placed on the six-game injured list, forcing general manager Danny Maciocia to sign former Toronto pivot Cameron Dukes last week. Shea Patterson, who spent two seasons with Saskatchewan, was added this week.
Morgan is in his second season with the Als and will be tasked with trying to end the team’s three-game losing skid. He completed 20 of 33 passes for 211 yards and a late fourth-quarter touchdown against the Lions.
“Obviously, it’s tough, but the mentality on the team is that nobody’s quitting,” Morgan said. “As a pro athlete, you get thrown some tough stuff sometimes. You have to objectively go on the field and execute your job, regardless of how you feel or what’s going on. … You have to execute the play the best you can. To focus on (the fact) we’re on a three-game losing streak, what are you focusing on? Let’s focus on getting better. Put everything we’ve got into this. That’s how you dig yourselves out of this. Everybody out here has that mentality and is ready to go.
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“We’re playing a good team and I’m excited about it. I’m excited for this team.”
Morgan, who bounced around the NFL but didn’t play in a game, joined Montreal last season and stayed on the team’s practice roster. He has dressed for five games in 2025 and was on the injured list on five occasions. Beginning the year fourth on the Als’ depth chart, Morgan probably never envisioned the toll of injuries would thrust him into a starting role.
“That’s the hardest part, in my opinion, about being a professional athlete who’s not a starter,” he explained. “You never know. You’re preparing for something hypothetical that could or could not happen. For me, it was almost surreal to have that (Evans’s injury) happen in the game. It was something I visualized for a long time. I wish it was under different circumstances. It’s something you always have to be ready for.”
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“We’re on a short week with a fourth-string quarterback. Everything’s against us, but there’s a lot of belief in our locker room,” says Montreal Alouettes head coach Jason Maas, addressing players at training camp on May 15, 2025.
This is Jason Maas’s third season as the Als’ head coach, but one that is quickly developing into the most challenging. He’s trying to get the season back on track with a fourth quarterback before things deteriorate further.
“We’re on a short week with a fourth-string quarterback,” Maas said. “Everything’s against us, but there’s a lot of belief in our locker room. Everyone in this building is excited for James to get the opportunity. Looking at everybody, they’re (hungry) to get back on the field. Any time you have a team that’s built that way, I think good things are going to happen.”
While many of the Als’ walking wounded remain sidelined, field cornerback Kabion Ento will return from a calf injury. Canadian tailback Sean Thomas Erlington, who missed the last game with a neck injury, has been listed as a game-time decision. Fullback David Dallaire, injured against B.C., is out and will be replaced by rookie Jacob Mason.
But all eyes will be on Morgan.
“There’s a reason why he’s here,” Maas said. “We liked what we saw, right from the beginning. You watch him practise and see the arm strength. You see his size. What you don’t see is his preparation. He came in last week having taken zero reps. He went out and executed every single play to the best of his ability. That’s why we know we have a chance with him. He’ll prepare like no other. He’s excited for the opportunity and the guys are going to rally around him.
“He’ll be ready to play.”
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