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EDMONTON — Like so many who have come and gone through the Alouettes’ dysfunctional organization recently, Kenny Stafford said he’s happy to have had the weight removed, referring to the escape as a blessing in disguise.

“I’m just happy to be where I am right now. I’m excited. I’m on a good team with a great quarterback, coaches, environment and community. I’m happy,” the Edmonton Eskimos receiver said prior to Saturday night’s (9 p.m., TSN, RDS, TSN Radio 690) game against the Alouettes at Commonwealth Stadium.

The game had been in some jeopardy this week because of the smoke that has blanketed this area following the B.C. wildfires. Indeed, the Eskimos twice moved their practices indoors. But Saturday afternoon the organization announced a favourable weather forecast, featuring winds of 20 to 30 km/h, and continuing measurement of the air quality in Edmonton — including readings taken at the stadium itself — indicated the situation caused by the smoke to be steadily improving. The air quality will be at acceptable levels come opening kickoff.