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It remains to be determined whether Chris Matthews can push the Alouettes over the top, but head coach Khari Jones believes the signing of the veteran receiver should send a clear and definite message to his players.

“I hope they know we’re trying to win. We’re trying to constantly improve and make sure we’re the best team we can be,” Jones said Monday following the team’s first practice of the week after it returned from its third, and final, bye week in the schedule.

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“I feel like the players know that, but if they didn’t, they’ll know with that and with anything we do in the future.”

The Als signed the 6-foot-5, 228-pound receiver on Friday, only two days after his release by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Matthews, 29, returned to the Bombers this season, signing as a free agent after helping Calgary win the Grey Cup in 2018.

Matthews originally played for Winnipeg in 2012 and ’13 and was named the Canadian Football League’s outstanding rookie after catching 81 passes for 1,192 yards while scoring seven touchdowns.