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Bombers QB Pierce has concussion but wants to play

By: Gary Lawless and Ashley Prest

Posted: 10/2/2012 3:53 PM | Comments: 0 | Last Modified: 10/3/2012 5:29 PM | Updates

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Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach Tim Burke (JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store

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- Let's hope Pierce is not a man in denial

Despite having the official announcement that he has a concussion, Blue Bombers quarterback says he feels fine and would like to play Monday in Montreal against the Alouettes.

"I feel good. I’ve felt pretty good the last couple of days. That’s a positive sign at this point," said Pierce, to a group of Winnipeg media at a club arranged news conference Tuesday night.

The worst fears of Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ fans were confirmed Tuesday afternoon by Bombers head coach Tim Burke, who informed media at a press conference that quarterback Pierce has a concussion.

Pierce suffered a head shot near the end of the first quarter of Saturday’s 29-10 loss to the Toronto Argonauts at Canad Inns Stadium when Argos linebacker Brandon Isaac levelled the quarterback with a late hit. Isaac was penalized for roughing the passer on the play.

"It was a cheap shot and it was dirty," said Pierce. "He had my whole midsection and upper body to hit. He’s not trying to wrap. He’s not trying to stop the play within the confines of the rules. It’s not the way the game should be played. It was a deliberate attempt to injure."

Burke said there is a chance that Pierce could be under centre Monday when the 3-10 Bombers play in Montreal against the 8-5 Alouettes."The evaluation process is continuing every day here but he has suffered a mild concussion. We discovered that today through testing.

"He has one more test that he has to clear before he’d be cleared to play and he will be evaluated tomorrow. And if it goes another day, he’ll be evaluated after that. However long it takes to pass that test is when he is able to play."

Pierce had a cut on his chin stitched and returned to Saturday’s game in the second quarter, leading his team on scoring drives for a field goal and a touchdown drive.

However, after he developed a headache, the decision was made to remove him from the game at halftime and he did not return. Backup Joey Elliott finished the game.

Burke said Pierce has been examined for concussion symptoms daily since Saturday and no longer has a headache.

Burke said a neurologist has been involved in the evaluation process.

"Very disappointing in the respect that he would have to take a hit like that, number one. I don’t know how many people would have come away from that hit without having some kind of an injury.

"Fortunately, it’s a mild concussion and not anything really bad. It’s nothing that’s a career ender, by any stretch of the imagination."

ashley.prest@freepress.mb.ca
Twitter: @WFPAshleyPrest

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History

Updated on Tuesday, October 2, 2012 at 5:10 PM CDT: Updates story.

8:31 PM: Corrects date

9:13 PM: Updates with Pierce saying he feels fine, wants to play

October 3, 2012 at 5:29 PM: Removes 2nd, duplicated story

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