Hamilton Tiger-Cats lose star receiver during loss in Toronto

A serious injury to slotback Bralon Addison is likely a longer-term setback to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats than their 34-20 defeat against the archrival Toronto Argonauts.

Addison, who was a 1,200-yard receiver in 2019 when the CFL last played a full 18-game schedule, was hurt after being tackled by Toronto’s Tarvarus McFadden following a 13-yard pass reception. In front of a hushed over BMO Field, the game was delayed for six minutes while the Tiger-Cats’ medical staff treated the left knee and leg of Addison. The 28-year-old Oregon Ducks grad was taken off the field on an injury cart, with teammates coming up to offer support.

Tough scene as Ticats WR Bralon Addison is carted off the field.

His teammates swarm him as he reaches the sidelines. pic.twitter.com/lkRCpQMlr8

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) August 6, 2022

The Tiger-Cats (2-6), who will host Toronto (4-3) at Tim Hortons Field on Friday (Aug. 12) to complete a home-and-home series, saw another second-half lead slip away. The Argonauts kept Hamilton and quarterback Dane Evans out of the end zone in the final 30 minutes. The Argonauts’ two decisive touchdowns during that 28-6 second-half surge came while QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson and his offensive teammates were on the sidelines.

With 2:08 left and Hamilton trailing by seven points while facing third-and-10 on its 30-yard line, Hamilton head coach Orlondo Steinauer elected to have Evans and Co. try for a first down. With a pass rusher closing in, Evans threw a pass toward slotback Tim White that Toronto’s Chris Edwards intercepted and returned 40 yards for the backbreaking touchdown.

Toronto went ahead for good on a special teams touchdown with 12:32 left. Tiger-Cats punter Michael Domagala, a St. Catharines native, had a punt blocked by Toronto’s Trevor Hoyte, a former teammate at Carleton University. Toronto’s Benoit Marion returned the ball 24 yards for a touchdown and a 24-17 lead.

While Steinauer gambled when Hamilton was deep in its zone, he opted against it when the Tiger-Cats had a chance to tie the score or go ahead with 6½ minutes remaining. The Tiger-Cats had third-and-eight at the Toronto 10-yard line after a drive that was sustained by a successful coach’s challenge for defensive pass interference. Ultimately, Seth Small kicked a short field goal to draw Hamilton within four.

Toronto quickly got the three points back, with Bethel-Thompson connecting with Darvaris Daniels for two good-size receptions.

Evans was 28-of-42 passing for 302 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Don Jackson scored Hamilton’s only touchdown, in the first quarter, on his way to a game-most 114 receiving-rushing yards.

Steven Dunbar was the Tiger-Cats’ top receiver with 71 yards, catching 7-of-13 targets. Small was 4-of-4 on field goals — none longer than 28 yards — and kicked one convert. Domagala added a punt single.

On the Toronto side, Bethel-Thonmpson was an interception-free 17-of-27 for 230 yards with one touchdown. Cameron Phillips had a game-high 85 receiving yards, catching 4-of-7 targets and scoring Toronto’s lone offensive TD.

Veteran slotback Brandon (Speedy B) Banks, who joined Toronto last winter after starring in Hamilton as a receiver and return threat, had one reception for 15 yards. Banks was targeted three times.

Andrew Harris, who was a problem for the Tiger-Cats in the 2019 and ’21 Grey Cups with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, was held under 3.5 yards per rush. In 14 attempts, Harris gained 47 yards, while also catching a pass for a two-point convert.

Toronto kicker Boris Bede was 3-of-4 on field goals and added one single and two converts.

The 28-year-old Addison gained 52 yards by catching all three of his targets from Evans before he was injured.

Coincidentally, wide receiver Tyler Ternowski also had a 3-for-3 statline when he suffered a shoulder injury during the Tiger-Cats’ previous game on July 28. Ternowski and another Canadian offensive starter, tackle Chris Van Zeyl, are both on the injured list.