With Philpot sidelined, Als receivers Behar and Fervius must pick up slack

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Nate Behar knows it’s not easy joining a CFL team following the start of a season.

Signed last month due to an injury to Kaion Julien-Grant, the Canadian receiver understands his audition time with the Alouettes could be limited and he must make a lasting impression with the coaching staff.

“You have to work hard, not be happy just to be there,” Behar said Tuesday following practice at St-Léonard’s Stade Hébert. “Be willing to push guys, but understanding all the guys here have money in the bank with the coaches and staff. That’s going to lead to trust in all these different things. You can’t put money in the bank in one day. Take your time with it.”

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Behar and fellow Canadian Shedler Fervius could become more important players in Montreal’s offence after leading receiver Tyson Philpot suffered a lower-body injury last Saturday against Hamilton. Philpot appeared to get his cleats caught in the Molson Stadium turf early in the game and was seen leaving the dressing room that night with a walking boot on his left foot.

No injury update or timeline concerning his return has been provided, although on Wednesday head coach Jason Maas said there are some conflicting opinions as to his injury. Philpot continues being evaluated, he added.

On a positive note, quarterback Davis Alexander, who missed Tuesday’s practice due to a personal matter, returned Wednesday and was on the field with the starters.

Behar, who has CFL experience with Edmonton and Ottawa, caught two passes for 19 yards against the Tiger-Cats. Fervius, selected in the fifth round (51st overall) by the Als in 2023, only caught one pass against Hamilton, but his 48-yard pass-and-run play at the end of the third quarter put Montreal in position to score a touchdown two plays later.

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“You always have to be ready, and I’m ready,” Fervius vowed. “I bring a lot of excitement, explosion, speed and playmaking ability. Hopefully I get to showcase that.”

Behar, 29, is the Als’ oldest and most experienced receiver. The 6-foot, 200 pounder impressed management with his ability to quickly learn the playbook along with playing multiple positions. In four games he has four catches for 23 yards.

Released by the Redblacks last winter despite receiving a $30,000 bonus payment, Behar had transitioned nicely into a post-football career when the Als reached out. He’s a strategist and senior account executive for an Ottawa-based growth marketing firm. He and his girlfriend also operate a company offering fitness, wellness and social retreats to groups at exotic locations.

“I came from thinking I was completely done with football,” Behar said. “Now it’s you’ve got a couple of games. We’ll see how things go. I’m just enjoying it and want to make an impact. I want to do enough to make sure I’ll be part of this ride the whole way. I think they’re going a long way.

“They trusted me to come in and learn the playbook quickly. I’d like to think I have the ability to be consistent and make plays, be a force when given a shot. Hopefully that will factor in as well.”

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Even given his brief playing time on Saturday, Philpot still sits second in the CFL, behind B.C.’s Justin McInnis, with 58 catches for 779 yards while scoring five touchdowns. Philpot already has produced three 100-yard games and leads the CFL with 361 yards after making a reception. He won’t be easy to replace.

“Everybody has strengths and weaknesses,” Maas said. “One of the strengths of Behar is experience. He has played in similar offences throughout his career. He’s very comfortable with the system we run, is able to run all those routes and catches the ball extremely well. He also can block. You can utilize him a bit different than Tyson. Fervius is a younger receiver and has a lot of different attributes. He’s a physical blocker and you saw last game he could get yards after the catch. He just needs the experience.

“As dynamic as Tyson is and as well-rounded as he is, the two of those guys can offset some of that. I’m not foolish enough to say one guy is going to take over for all the production Tyson had for us. That will be spread around. We’ll utilize the strengths of our receivers.”

Behar has played on some brutal teams, never having reach the playoffs with Ottawa. With the Als at 8-1 heading into Friday night’s game at Saskatchewan, they appear serious threats to defend their Grey Cup title. Behar hopes to be along for the ride.

“I wanted to come and be part of a strong offence and team,” he said. “I wanted to come and play with a quarterback room I believe in, knowing it would clearly be a positive experience here. If this was going to be the last six, 12 games or how many it’s going to be, let’s go out with some good feelings. Hopefully this ends with a big, fancy ring. Irregardless, I know it was the right decision.”

hzurkowsky@postmedia.com

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