Blue lose two more at practice

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This article was published 11/09/2014 (4039 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s the kind of news that will undoubtedly have the B.C. Lions positively salivating:

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers may be limping into the Lions’ den with a piece-meal defensive line after two possible starters pulled up lame at practice Wednesday. Already without Jason Vega and Kashawn Fraser, the Bombers watched in disbelief as both Zach Anderson and Willie Moseley exited with injuries.

Head coach Mike O’Shea said Moseley — who left the field walking gingerly alongside head athletic therapist Al Couture — should be fine, but Anderson might be a different story. He was on crutches at the end of practice and the prognosis is not good.

“We’ll have to wait and see tomorrow,” said O’Shea.

“It’s upsetting. They’ve all signed up for it, but they don’t expect it to happen, especially in practice. Once again, with the type of character guys we have it bugs them. They don’t shrug their shoulders and say, ‘Oh, we move on.’ It really bugs them. And that’s a good thing.”

The Bombers, who rank second last in the CFL in rushing yards allowed with 118 per game, do have some remaining options along their D-line. Moseley could still be good to go for Saturday’s game against the 6-4 Lions and newcomer Marvin Booker may also get a look at replacing Vega or Anderson. Thaddeus Gibson, acquired in a trade last week with Toronto for Alex Suber, has had passport issues and has yet to report to Winnipeg.

Said O’Shea of Booker: “It looks like he’s got 10-pin bowling balls strapped to the tops of his shoulders. He’s a specimen that way. He’s got a high motor, he runs around like crazy and seems to love playing football. He’s been on our scouts’ radar for awhile. It’s good to get him up here.”

There’s more: with Canadian D-lineman/linebacker Mike Cornell also injured, newcomer Ameet Pall (6-0, 245, Wofford) — who practised Wednesday for the first time — may get a shot to play right away. A former first-round draft pick of Calgary in 2012 (fifth overall), Pall has spent the last two years with the Montreal Alouettes before being released this summer.

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“I’m extremely glad to be here. There’s no looking back. It’s the road to the Grey Cup,” said Pall after practice on Wednesday.

“I like what they do here. I’ve got a couple buddies here on the team. My buddies Julian (Feoli-Gudino) and Cory (Watson) told me everybody is cool, the system is awesome. I played with (E.J.) Kuale as well. Everybody’s friendly, everybody’s cracking jokes and then when it’s time to get on the field we get after it. That’s what it’s all about.”

Meanwhile, defensive back/kick returner Troy Stoudemire, slotback Cory Watson and offensive tackle Glenn January did not practise on Wednesday but are all expected to play. Linebacker/long snapper Ian Wild and offensive linemen Matthias Goossen and Paddy Neufeld will all be out for one more week.

NEW BLUE BLOOD: In addition to Pall, the Bombers also added Canadian defensive back Shea Pierre (5-10, 190). Pierre, a second-round draft pick of the Toronto Argonauts in 2012 (12th overall), joined the team a year later but was released after training camp this June.

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @WFPEdTait