Alouettes' Liam Talbot Out for Season After Alleged Groin Punches by Lions' Josh Hagerty, CFL Discipline Pending

Montreal Alouettes running back Liam Talbot's rookie season is over. Sources described the injury behind it as "life-altering," according to 3DownNation.

Talbot, 23, allegedly took two punches to the groin from B.C. Lions defensive back Josh Hagerty during separate special teams plays in last Saturday's game in Vancouver, according to 3DownNation and the New York Post. Talbot finished the game. Days later the injury was severe enough that he needed emergency surgery, sidelining him for the rest of the season.

The Alouettes have not disclosed what the surgery involved. 3DownNation reported that sources familiar with the situation described the injury's consequences as extending beyond Talbot's football career, but said specifics on his prognosis are being withheld for medical privacy.

Talbot was absent from Wednesday's practice and was listed on Montreal's injury report with a groin injury. He is officially ruled out for Friday's game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

No Flag, No Discipline Yet

Neither alleged punch drew a penalty during the game, according to all three outlets reviewing the footage. 3DownNation said the incidents "received little attention" at the time, in a contest that also included allegations of dirty play against B.C. defensive lineman Mathieu Betts and a sideline brawl.

Alouettes fullback Marco Dubois posted footage of one incident on X Wednesday, writing: "This is not football. There need to be consequences for this kind of unacceptable play that puts players' safety at risk."

Teammate Cyrille Hogan-Saindon, an offensive lineman, responded on the same post: "Punch in the nuts, I've never seen anything like that from an adult in a professional football game."

3DownNation says it obtained footage of both sequences, describing them as appearing to show Hagerty delivering underhand punches to Talbot's groin. The outlet called the first video the more forceful of the two. No criminal charges have been filed, and this remains a league disciplinary matter, not a legal one.

Hagerty, who is in his sixth CFL season out of the University of Saskatchewan, is one of three players reportedly set to appear at CFL disciplinary hearings this week over incidents from the Montreal-B.C. game. The B.C. Lions declined to comment when contacted by 3DownNation, citing the league's ongoing process.

The CFL has not announced any outcome. Possible results from a hearing include fines or suspensions, and a player cannot be suspended without first going through one. The league typically releases discipline decisions ahead of the following week's opening game, meaning a ruling could land before or around Friday's Montreal-Hamilton matchup.

The Fair Question Here

What is established: Talbot has a groin injury requiring surgery that ends his season, no flag was thrown on the field, and video exists of contact in the area described by teammates as punches. What is not established: the CFL has not ruled on intent, and Hagerty has not publicly responded to the allegations in any of the reporting reviewed. A hearing exists precisely because the league has not yet determined what, if anything, warrants punishment. Fans and media rushing to a verdict before that hearing concludes would be getting ahead of the record.

Talbot, a fourth-round pick in the 2026 CFL Draft out of the University of Windsor, had appeared in four games this season, recording six carries for 23 yards and a touchdown along with a special teams tackle. Hagerty has recorded 11 defensive tackles and nine special teams tackles in 13 games this year.

The unresolved question is straightforward: what does the CFL do with Hagerty, and does it happen before Friday's Alouettes-Tiger-Cats kickoff. If the league's own pattern holds, an answer should come within days.