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Buck not at practice, but don't count him out of game

By: Adam Wazny

Posted: 09/14/2011 2:12 PM | Comments: 0

Winnipeg Blue Bomber quarterback Buck Pierce gets sacked by Saskatchewan Roughrider Keith Shologan. Sept 11. Pierce is resting bruised ribs but hopes to play against the Montreal Alouettes Sunday. (BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS ARCHIVES) Photo Store

Buck Pierce did not practise with his Winnipeg Blue Bombers teammates Wednesday. That doesn’t mean he won’t play this weekend, though.

The starting quarterback took the day off from the field to rest his bruised ribs, but said he should be back practising with the club at Canad Inns Stadium Thursday.

If Pierce, who threw five interceptions in a 45-23 loss to Saskatchewan in the Banjo Bowl, can get in two good practices this week — showing the coaches he has the ability to throw the ball and the mobility to escape pressure — then he’ll be under centre when the team visits the Montreal Alouettes Sunday afternoon.

"It’s sore," Pierce told reporters Wednesday. "I’ve been banged up like this before. It’s not my first time. I know how to recover from it and I know my capabilities. It’s day-to-day right now, but I fully am preparing myself for this weekend."

Should things not work out as Pierce and the Bombers hope, backup Alex Brink will make his second career CFL start. Brink closed out the Banjo Bowl by going 8-of-11 for 59 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, the Bombers did the expected and moved Marcellus Bowman into the middle linebacker spot that was formerly held by Joe Lobendahn. Merrill Johnson draws back in to take over Bowman’s position.

Lobendahn suffered a torn ACL in his right knee Sunday and is lost for the season.

Rookie receiver Kito Poblah has been ruled out for the Montreal game, as well. He didn’t practise Wednesday, and head coach Paul LaPolice said the freshman wideout suffered a shoulder injury in the Banjo Bowl loss. If Aaron Hargreaves (ankle) isn’t ready to play before the weekend, it means another rookie, Jade Etienne, would draw in as the second Canadian receiver on offence.

The Bombers also added a non-import receiver to the mix Wednesday, signing former Manitoba Bison Ricky Clarke to the practice roster.

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