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Montreal Alouettes Versatile LB Najee Murray Out For Season

Najee Murray will miss the rest of the season with a torn pectoral muscle. Murray has started every game for the Alouettes this season 5 games at linebacker, and 1 game at halfback.

“You know it’s emotionally tough especially when we are so early in the season but I’m going to come back stronger and better than ever.’ Najee Murray commented on the injury.

Over his 6 games so far this season Najee Murray was leading the team in tackles with 32 and has also contributed an interception, a forced fumble, and a knockdown. He’s been recognized for his high level of play by Pro Football Focus 

Najee Murray has been recognized for his high level of play this season as he was listed on the Pro Football Focus Team of the Week in week 1. He was also named to our First Period CFL East Divisional All-Star Team.

Last season Murray played in 15 games including the 2 playoff games all at defensive back with 11 starts. He contributed 40 tackles, an interception, a sack, a forced fumble, and 5 knockdowns last year over the regular season.

Najee Murray creates a pretty big hole to fill on the Alouettes’ defensive side of the ball. The Alouettes do have some options internally. Bryce Notree has been playing linebacker in a backup capacity and is 4th on the team among linebackers and started a game at middle linebacker when Avery Williams was injured. J.R. Reed started a game at strong-side linebacker during the game when Murray played defensive back. Avery Williams who has been playing middle linebacker so far this season has played strong side linebacker in college at Temple.

Externally the Alouettes could consider making an attempt to bring on Darnell Sankey who was a CFL West Division All-Star in 2021 and started every game last season at middle linebacker for the Roughriders. Sankey was a member of the Arlington Renegades who won the XFL this past season. He was just released mere days ago from the XFL to pursue CFL options if an NFL offer does not materialize.

Alouettes fans can look forward to seeing more Najee Murray next season, but the defensive side is going to be without him for the rest of the 2023 campaign.

Other Articles:

Mike Mitchell’s Week 9 Power Rankings

Week 9 Fantasy Football Picks, Week 9 QB Rankings, Week 9 RB Rankings

CFL First Period All-Star Team (Weeks 1-7)

Week 8 QB Rankings, Week 8 RB Rankings, Week 8 WR Rankings

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Jonathan Clink Reporter
Jonathan Clink joined CFL News Hub in early April of 2023. His primary responsibilities are covering the BC Lions and Montreal Alouettes. He self awarded himself the CFL Rookie Journalist of the Year in 2023 following the 2023 CFL season. He also proclaims himself to be a "really cool guy". He was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba and lived a large portion of his childhood in Northwest Ontario. He currently lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan and misses being being able to have 4 months of skating every winter. Clink has written over 240 articles for CFL News Hub. He was the publication's boots on the ground at the 2023 Grey Cup in Hamilton. Clink has always had an obsession for sport and has a background in other sports as well having played hockey all his life and soccer, basketball, and lacrosse in high school. As a young child he used to log his hockey statistics after every game which is either an indication that he was destined for the role or perhaps and indication that he is rather strange.
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