Banged-up Canadian talent forced out of action

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This article was published 06/07/2011 (5242 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

ABOUT the influx of young Canadian talent the Bombers airlifted in for this season: Its arrival has been delayed.

Already patiently watching rookie LB Henoc Muamba recover from a knee injury (he hasn’t played or practised in three weeks), the club will now be without the services of WR Kito Poblah for an extended period.

The rookie suffered a torn posterior cruciate ligament in Winnipeg’s win against Hamilton on Canada Day. He hurt the knee diving for a ball in the first half and knew right away there was a serious problem.

Poblah won’t require surgery and is expected to be out six to eight weeks. In a move that really must have hurt the Bombers brass, the club put the 2011 supplemental draft pick on the nine-game injured reserve list Tuesday.

“I can be disappointed and mad about it, but it happened,” Poblah said. “I can take it two ways. I’m going to take it positively and come back even stronger.”

The loss of Poblah throws a wrench in the Winnipeg offence in terms of utilizing his explosiveness out of a non-import spot. WR Aaron Hargreaves will replace Poblah on Friday against the Argonauts, with rookie WR Jade Etienne — the only healthy first-round pick left — figuring to dress as backup.

“We still have explosive players on the field,” head coach Paul LaPolice said. “We have to just keep moving them around.”

To that end, and aided by the injuries in the receiver position, the Bombers experimented with SB Terence Jeffers-Harris in the wideout spot Tuesday.

SPEAKING OF INJURIES: Those who didn’t work out Monday also missed practice Tuesday, which isn’t a great sign heading into Friday’s game against Toronto (6:30 p.m., Canad Inns Stadium).

Here’s the rest of the hurt list: SB Terrence Edwards (arm); WR Greg Carr (hamstring); DE Odell Willis (groin); DB Jovon Johnson (hip); LB Clint Kent (ankle); DB Johnny Sears (ankle); and DB Leslie Majors (undisclosed).

Brady Browne (torn biceps) was placed on the nine-game injured reserve as well. LaPolice said the coaches should have a better idea who will be ready to play against the Argos this morning.

WEEKLY WINNERS: The answer: Wilfrid Laurier in 2003.

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That was the last time S Ian Logan grabbed two interceptions in a game, a trick he pulled off again in Hamilton. Logan’s effort in the season opener earned him Canadian player of the week honours, the CFL announced.

Logan said the interceptions were just a case of being in the right spot at the right time. “For those split seconds that the ball is in the air, your eyes just light up. The ball is there, just got to make a play,” he said.

Tuesday was a big day for the Bombers secondary. DB Alex Suber was named defensive player of the week, thanks to his six tackles and a 66-yard interception return for a touchdown. Montreal SB Jamel Richardson (offensive) and B.C.’s Tim Brown (special teams) are the other players of the week.

— Wazny