By Canadian Press

Hamilton lineman Ted Laurent misses practice for second straight day through illness

Dec 10, 2021 | 12:32 PM

Hamilton defensive lineman Ted Laurent is a question-mark for Sunday’s Grey Cup after missing practice Friday for the second straight day through illness.

“I’m totally waiting on the (medical) reports,” Ticats coach Orlondo Steinauer told reporters after training at Tim Hortons Field. “We’re going to exhaust anything we can to let Teddy play. We’ll also be prepared if he doesn’t.”

Steinauer said the illness was not COVID-related.

A four-time divisional all-star and two-time all-CFL selection, Laurent was nominated as the East Division’s Most Outstanding Canadian in 2014.

At six foot one and 299 pounds, Laurent is a stopper in a hard-nosed Ticat defensive line that also features Ja’Gared Davis, Dylan Wynn and Julian Howsare. The front four registered 31 sacks this season, ranking fifth in the league.

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Davis and Wynn were both East Division all-stars.

Lee Autry could be a replacement. The six-foot-two 305-pounder dressed in four regular-season games, including two starts. The 25-year-old made his first career CFL start on Aug. 14 at Saskatchewan.

“Autry’s had snaps. We’ve cycled in and out. Even in normal plays, I don’t play the whole game, Ted doesn’t play the whole game,” said Wynn. “Autry’s ready. 

“Autry’s a nice big body and he’s an athletic big guy. And he’s more than ready for this situation and this stage. And frankly he expected to play during this game anyway, That was something that we had talked about coming in. Whatever capacity he gets in, if he’s playing one snap, if he’s playing every snap — who knows what’s going to happen when the roster shakes down — he’ll rise to the situation.”

Laurent played in 13 regular-season games, including 11 starts, and took part in both playoff games. He missed one game due to a knee injury.

The 10-year CFL veteran spent his first three seasons with Edmonton before landing in Hamilton as a free agent in June 2014.

“He’s an all-decade player,” said Wynn, who counts Laurent as one of his best friends. “Ted is an unselfish, amazing man, on and off the field.”

“Ted is big-time, big-time,” he added.

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Follow @NeilMDavidson on Twitter. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 10, 2021.

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press