Edmonton has called a news conference for 4 p.m. ET.

Jyles just signed a contract extension with the Argos through to 2014. He became Toronto’s starter after Cleo Lemon was released in September. The University of Louisiana at Monroe product finished the season with 1,430 passing yards, seven touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Jyles was also the team’s second-leading rusher with 429 rushing yards. He missed the season’s final game because of a helmet-to-helmet hit during Week 18′s game in Winnipeg. Jyles was set to be a free agent in February.

In the weeks before Toronto finished its 6-12 season at the bottom of the East division, rumours bubbled the team was interested in bringing Calgary Stampeders quarterback Henry Burris east in the off-season after Burris lost his starting job to Drew Tate.

With files from Matthew Scianitti

More to come.

HAMILTON AT SASKATCHEWAN
Saturday, 3:00 p.m. ET
After watching Hamilton’s defence chew B.C.’s offence line and quarterback Travis Lulay, it was probably a good thing Saskatchewan head coach Ken Miller announced battered quarterback Darian Durant would be holding a clipboard on the sidelines for the rest of 2011. He also decided to shelve injured receiver Andy Fantuz and linebacker Barrin Simpson. Hamilton, on the other hand, is looking to bolster its roster as it faces the CFL’s two worst teams in the final two weeks. The Ticats signed former Eskimos running back Daniel Porter Wednesday, and expecting leading receiver Chris Williams to return.
Pick: Tiger-Cats

EDMONTON AT B.C.
Saturday, 10 p.m. ET
Beside the chance to host the West final, a win will ease nerves and emphasize the Grey Cup potential of both teams. Despite a near collapse against the Argos, Edmonton quarterback Ricky Ray was named offensive player of the week while running back Jerome Messam, now just 36 yards from 1,000 on the season, was named Canadian player of the week for the fifth time. Lions head coach Wally Buono will be happy if he can get some important players, like linebacker Solomon Elimimian and defensive tackle Khalif Mitchell, back from injury.
Pick: Edmonton

CALGARY AT MONTREAL
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
It is absurd that Anthony Calvillo is shouldering so much blame for Montreal’s fourth-quarter failings Winnipeg last weekend. The 39-year-old did look flabbergasted against the Blue Bombers’ unpredictable defence, but Alouettes head coach Mark Trestman is probably more worried about his top-ranked rush defence, which allowed Blue Bombers running back Chris Garrett to walk into the end zone twice in the fourth quarter. And as Calgary quarterback Drew Tate continues to work in the huddle, and Henry Burris glowers from the sidelines, head coach John Hufnagel is happy powerhouse running back Jon Cornish is available after a staph infection earlier this week.
Pick: Montreal

Last week 2-2.  Season 34-30.

• Email: mscianitti@nationalpost.com | Twitter: mscianitti

I’ve been out of synch this week with the Riders taking a long break and resuming practices on Thursday. I’m starting to get caught up, which is just in time for Monday’s Thanksgiving showdown with the Edmonton Eskimos at Commonwealth Stadium.

Here are the highlights, lowlights and free-range thoughts on what I observed while attempting to keep dry during intermittent rain showers.

- I’m been pretty good on the weather and wasp reports lately because the weather has been great and wasps not as noticeable. That changed Friday, at least on the weather front. It drizzled throughout the two-hour practice until the last 10 minutes or so when the wind picked up and it really started to rain. In fact, the rain was coming sideways. The Riders ended practice a touch early due to the conditions. They basically cancelled field goals. On the bright side, the wasps weren’t around and we got to conduct our interviews inside.

- QB Darian Durant remains day to day with his injured left foot. He was out at the beginning of practice and threw a few passes before returning the locker room. Durant was walking better than Thursday and didn’t appear to have any tape on the injured ankle. Riders head coach Ken Miller said Durant’s mobility is a sign of how much he has improved. Durant may practice Saturday, but Miller is concerned about re-aggravating the injury. So, there is a chance Durant will kept out of practice. I feel more optimistic about Durant playing on Monday than I did yesterday. If not, we all know that Ryan Dinwiddie will get the starting nod.

- There was a little scare when SB Chris Getzlaf  banged his knee while attempting to catch a pass. Getzlaf left practice, but is expected to return Saturday.

- Jerrell Freeman was back at practice. He suffered a severe facial laceration on Saturday and he had stitches to repair a cut on his chin and in his mouth. Freeman told Glenn Reid of CBC-TV that he thought he lost some teeth after being struck by a Jon Cornish cleat. Freeman should be good to go on Monday.

- Dario Romero was back along the defensive line, but it was Keith Shologan’s turn for a warrior’s day off. RB Brandon West (chest) didn’t practice, so I would bet Hugh Charles returns at backup tailback and kickoff returner. The struggles of the Riders have created many opportunities for kickoff returns, so there is a good chance we’ll get to see what Charles can do on Monday. Lance Frazier is still sidelined with a hamstring injury and Chris McKenzie also missed practice for the second straight day. James Patrick filled in at defensive halfback for McKenzie and Eddie Russ was at Frazier’s position.

- Sometimes following me on Twitter is not always a good thing, but so rare that you’re missing out on some good stuff. Anyway,  I was trying to find Durant at practice  this morning and I didn’t think I saw him during the early portion of it. I was typing that and hit send just as I realized he was throwing, but in shorts and a grey shirt and not the red jersey that QBs wear. So there was some confusion as other practice watchers had tweeted that Durant was there. I updated my tweet immediately, but I apologize to my followers for the confusion. You could have been part of it if you followed me on Twitter @murraylp.

- I am writing, which is a challenge (add your own punchline here) because the game is three days away. My main (at least for now) is the Riders are making their first trip back to Commonwealth Stadium since the 2010 Grey Cup game. There have been many changes since the Riders were beaten 21-18 by the Alouettes. I also delve (there’s that word that I love so much) into the defence. We’ve pounded the offence pretty hard, but the defence hasn’t been much better. Both aspects of the Riders’ game have to pick up on Monday. Really that’s the kind of insight you get here for free.

- The Riders have finally identified the offensive lineman who has been around for a few days. He’s Nerraw McCormack and he has been added to the practice roster. McCormack (6-foot-5  and 302 pounds) played at Penn State where he spent the last four years. After going undrafted, the 25-year-old went on to spend time in the AFL and most recently spent time with Omaha in the UFL.

- That’s it. I’m finally starting to dry out. Check online later and Saturday’s Leader-Post for more on today’s practice and maybe something extra.

The Alouettes have jumped out to a 10-0 lead over the Edmonton Eskimos at the end of the first quarter on Thursday night.

Anthony Calvillo passes 14 yards to Jamel Richardson for a touchdown at 7:06.

Then, after a Shea Emry fumble recovery, Sean Whyte kicked a 12-yard field goal at 11:42.