Montreal Alouettes rookie running back Liam Talbot will miss the rest of the season after an injury linked to alleged below-the-belt punches during Saturday’s game against the B.C. Lions in Vancouver. The 23-year-old underwent emergency surgery earlier this week after reportedly being struck in the groin on two separate special teams plays.
The alleged punches were not penalized during the game. Videos of the incidents appear to show B.C. Lions defensive back Josh Hagerty making underhand movements toward Talbot’s groin area, according to the account reported by 3DownNation.
Talbot finished the game, but the effects of the injury later became severe enough for him to seek medical attention. He was absent from practice Wednesday, appeared on Montreal’s injury report with a groin injury and was then ruled out for Friday’s game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats before being ruled out for the season.
The Alouettes have not publicly addressed the incident or disclosed the nature of Talbot’s surgery. Sources cited in the report said the injury carried implications beyond his football career, adding to the seriousness of the case.
The incident has drawn public anger from Talbot’s teammates. Alouettes fullback Marco Dubois posted video of one alleged punch on X and wrote that the play was not football and should bring consequences because it put player safety at risk.
Offensive lineman Cyrille Hogan-Saindon also criticized the alleged conduct in a comment on Dubois’s post, saying he had never seen anything like it from an adult in a professional football game. Their reactions turned the case into a broader question about discipline and what the league will do when player safety is at stake.
Hagerty, who is in his sixth CFL season, is expected to attend disciplinary hearings this week, along with two other players, in connection with the alleged punches during the game. Possible outcomes include fines and suspensions, which the CFL typically makes public before the first game of the following week.
Talbot was selected by Montreal in the fourth round of the 2026 draft and had appeared in four games this season. He recorded six carries for 23 yards and one touchdown before the injury ended his rookie campaign.