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“I have no problem with Chris Jones. I just have a problem with what he said. It could have been handled in a better way. I’ve always respected him as a coach. It’s just when you start pointing fingers and you have a lot to do with what you’re pointing fingers at, that’s my only problem.”

Reed could have used the Alouettes’ two remaining regular season games to give Shiltz more playing time, but didn’t want to deprive his veteran pivot of a special moment.

“Darian is going back to Saskatchewan, the place he was traded from and where he’s a legend,” said Reed. “When you look at where we are in the standings and what the end of our season looks like, why not give this young man an opportunity?”

Lewis is set to return after missing three games with a right leg injury. The long-time Calgary Stampeder who joined Montreal in 2015 reached the 1,000 career catch mark this season and sits fourth all-time in that category.

“I came in today, they wanted me to play and here I am,” said Lewis, his voice trembling with emotion. “I could play the last game probably of my career in front of a lot of family, some new friends I’ve made, and get an opportunity to walk off the field the way I want to, hopefully healthy, happy and just feeling blessed.”

He feels he can keep playing, but Reed wants a younger squad next season and there may not be a place for him, despite his 70 catches this season for 619 yards. The Alouettes will have a new coach in place in 2018 who may have his own ideas on Lewis’s worth.

“It all depends on who comes in next,” said Lewis, who is slated to sit out the season finale next week in Hamilton. “If they want me around as a player, then I’ll be ready to go.

“I feel like I have a lot left, but I’m also ready to transition. I’m at peace with this being it, if it is.”