Montreal Alouettes slotback Jamel Richardson (left) and slotback S.J. Green (right) celebrate a touchdown during third quarter of CFL football action at Mosaic Stadium on Saturday July 9, 2011 in ReginaLiam Richards
It's tempting to see it as a sporting gesture from a bygone age - the Toronto Argonauts are without one of their key offensive catalysts, so the Montreal Alouettes withdraw one of theirs.
But there's no such thing as chivalry in pro football and the CFL isn't a Disney movie. Als receiver Jamel Richardson - who is tops in the league in both receptions and yards - is verifiably banged up, which is why he will be held out of Friday's tilt between the teams at Percival Molson Stadium.
The official diagnosis on Richardson is a quadriceps contusion, but although he suffered through various knee and hamstring ailments during training camp it's not expected he'll miss an extended period with the injury.
"He should be ready to go next week, we're just showing some caution here," said Montreal head coach Marc Trestman.
The Alouettes defence was already preparing for an Argos team shorn of injured running back Cory Boyd, now Richardson's absence removes what surely would have been a focal point of Toronto's defensive game plan.
Canadian receiver Eric Deslauriers, who at 6 foot 4 fits seamlessly into Montreal's collection of redwoods at the receiver position, will sub in for Richardson, who came up lame after taking several big hits against Saskatchewan last Saturday.