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Blue Bomber Report Record: 0–0–0
Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION
Bombers shuffle roster ahead of game in Edmonton
Jonathan Hefney (POSTMEDIA POSTMEDIA NEWS)
Roster changes are once again a part of the pre-game story when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers tackle the Edmonton Eskimos at Commonwealth Stadium Friday night.
The Bombers worked out the new-look secondary again at practice Tuesday, with little concern that the injuries to strong-side linebacker Brandon Stewart and defensive back Alex Suber would upset the flow of the unit against the Eskimos. Both players suffered leg injuries in Montreal last Friday.
So, for the second practice, Jonathan Hefney moves into Stewart's linebacker spot, with Johnny Sears switching over from his cornerback position to take over for Hefney. Deon Beasley rejoins the starting group at the cornerback (taking Sears’ spot), while Darrell Pasco looks to get the start at the other halfback spot. Veteran cornerback Jovon Johnson and safety Ian Logan remain at their usual positions.
Paul LaPolice said the club did consider moving speedster Demond Washington into a full-time starting role in the secondary, but his value as a special teams return man was deemed too important to risk losing him to injury on defence. The head coach said the changes in the secondary, while numerous, shouldn’t be too hard to manage for the rest of the defence.
"Darrell Pasco has been with us for a long time, certainly how Demond is playing on special teams gave us a little thought of keeping him more as a DI (designated import) than as a full-time starter – but we’ll see how that goes throughout the course of the game," LaPolice told reporters after a hot and steamy workout at Canad Inns Stadium.
"And Deon Beasley played a lot of games for us the last two years. It makes an easy change for us on defence."
With non-import Anthony Woodson nursing an injury, the Bombers will also be forced to add a new back-up running back for Friday’s tilt in Edmonton. LaPolice said that spot will come down to Canadian Nathan Riva (who was added to the practice roster this week) or import Will Ford (he was brought in last week).
LaPolice also ruled out right tackle Andre Douglas for Edmonton. "It doesn't look like he'll go this week," the coach added.
The injury news on the Edmonton side was equally discouraging. A day after announcing that wide receiver Adarius Bowman was lost for the year with a torn ACL and MCL in his left knee, the club resumed practice Tuesday without the services of Greg Carr.
The former Bombers wide receiver turned an ankle in Regina over the weekend. Reports out of the Alberta capital suggest he's doubtful for the game against his former mates
Winnipeg also made one roster move Tuesday, adding defensive back Jeremy McGee to the roster. McGee, an Ole Miss-product, was with the club in training camp.
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