Novak promotion is a ratio bet, not just an injury fill

Lane Novak gets Smith's roster spot after being promoted from the practice roster, and the fifth-round 2025 pick has already dressed for 10 regular-season games with four special teams tackles. By backfilling a Canadian DB with a Canadian linebacker, Winnipeg preserves its national ratio without signing a veteran or cutting a developmental piece. That's a low-cost ratio move: Novak is a 2025 fifth-round pick with 10 games and four STT, while Smith is a 2025 second-round pick.