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Tyson Pencer

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THE Winnipeg Blue Bombers' 46-man regular season roster was finally revealed Sunday morning as the Bombers announced their practice squad and injured lists.

The biggest news was that OT Tyson Pencer -- the Bombers top draft pick last month and third overall -- will start the season on the nine-game injury list. Pencer hurt his shoulder in a pre-season loss to Hamilton last Wednesday. Reports from field level that night suggested Pencer had separated his shoulder. Head coach Paul LaPolice didn't get into details on Sunday, but said the injury was not overly serious.

Pencer was the only player placed on the nine-game injury list, but seven others were placed on the one-game injury list, meaning they cannot play next Friday in Vancouver when the Bombers open the regular season against the B.C. Lions.

Topping that list are receiver Cory Watson, offensive tackle Andre Douglas and linebacker Marcellus Bowman, all projected starters this year. Also placed on the list were backup quarterback Justin Goltz, defensive back Darrell Pasco, running back Carl Volny and fullback Jordan Matechuk.

Finally, the Bombers announced seven players had agreed to join their practice squad; offensive lineman Brendan Dunn; wide receivers Doug Pierce, Isaac Anderson and Cassidy Doneff; linebacker Terrell Parker; running back Bloi-Dei Dorzon; and defensive back Jeremy McGee.

INJURED Winnipeg Blue Bombers offensive tackle Glenn January returned to the practice field on Sunday for the first time in a couple of weeks.

January did not take first-team reps at left tackle -- non-import Paul Swiston did. January is expected to start in B.C., but he was non-commital on Sunday. "I'm not quite sure about that just yet."

AFTER being relegated to second-team reps for much of camp, defensive end Alex Hall and defensive tackle Brandon Collier got first-team reps Sunday on the front four alongside veterans Jason Vega and Bryant Turner.

Collier has big shoes to fill at starting nose tackle -- he is taking the place of retired veteran Doug Brown. "Yes, I've heard a lot of great things about him," said Collier, who was in training camp last year with the Philadelphia Eagles. "But I can't play in his shadow. I can only play my own game."

-- Wiecek

Brink gets nod at backup

"I'm really pleased (with both of them). Those guys were almost 2 and 2A."

-- Head coach Paul LaPolice on his decision to give the backup quarterback job to Alex Brink, who he said won a close battle in camp by a nose over Joey Elliott

Labbe tops Muamba

Pierre-Luc Labbe won the battle to be the Bombers' non-import starting middle linebacker.

Labbe had the job at the end of last season and held off a stiff challenge in camp from Henoc Muamba, the first overall pick in the 2011 CFL entry draft. "Henoc's probably a better athlete," said Bombers defensive co-ordinator Tim Burke, "but he's just not as sure of himself."

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition June 25, 2012 C3