MONTREAL — Antonio Pipkin will start at quarterback for the Montreal Alouettes this week when they visit the Edmonton Eskimos, the team revealed Friday.

The news comes after starting pivot Johnny Manziel was absent from practice this week and the Als announcing on Wednesday that Manziel is going through concussion protocol.

Pipkin has handled first-team reps in Manziel’s absence.

The sophomore saw action in the final quarter of the Alouettes first pre-season game, completing two of his six pass attempts for 14 yards. The 23-year-old saw action in two games for Montreal in 2017 and completed two of nine passes for 14 yards and rushed four times for eight yards.

Matthew Shiltz is listed as the primary backup.

The Alouettes head to Commonwealth Stadium on Saturday night to take on the Esks. Kickoff is at 9:00 p.m. ET.