Bombers take day-to-day approach to Demski’s return

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This article was published 01/09/2021 (1467 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea is taking his usual wait-and-see approach to whether receiver Nic Demski will return to the lineup this week.

Demski has missed the last two games with a hip injury after performing well through the first two games of the season, including scoring a touchdown in a 20-7 Week 2 win over the Toronto Argonauts. When the Bombers returned to IG Field Wednesday for their first practice ahead of Sunday’s Labour Day weekend clash with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Demski was once again sidelined.

Other players who didn’t practise include fullback Mike Miller (hip), linebackers Kyrie Wilson (hip flexor) and Jontrell Rocquemore (hip), defensive lineman Steven Richardson (foot), defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat (hip) and safety Brandon Alexander (shoulder).

Of the group, Miller, Jeffcoat and Alexander seem hopeful to return this week, as all played in last week’s win over Calgary. But all health statuses, including Demski, who is expected to return to practice Thursday, will be updated throughout the week.

NEW BLOOD: The Bombers were getting to the point where they had so few available receivers it was becoming difficult to practice.

Needing another pair of hands after releasing ArDarius Stewart from the practice roster because he couldn’t stay healthy, the Bombers went out and signed veteran free-agent receiver Namaan Roosevelt.

Roosevelt has played in 67 career CFL games and was a key piece of the Roughriders for five seasons, between 2015-19. He was most recently released from the Montreal Alouettes out of training camp because they had too many skilled receivers. Age likely also played a factor; while Roosevelt has 301 receptions for 4,134 yards and 20 touchdowns, he’s also 33.

Still, he racked up nearly 1,000 receiving yards in 2019 and the Bombers could use his calming presence. Roosevelt is known leaguewide as a good leader and should blend in nicely here in Winnipeg.

“Yes, he’s a good guy and I do believe a lot of teams put stock in that — and we do certainly,” said O’Shea. “I do think he will learn everything we do quickly.”

Roosevelt is eligible to practice Thursday and while he’s technically able to play this weekend, the thought of him cracking the lineup with such a short turnaround is unlikely.

SENDING A MESSAGE: The Edmonton Elks released Canadian offensive lineman Jacob Ruby Tuesday because he misrepresented his vaccine status to the club. In other words, he lied about being vaccinated.

The CFL then stepped in and, according to TSN’s Dave Naylor, issued a leaguewide memo that prevents any other team from signing the London, Ont. native who had been a member of the Elks since 2017.

“We try to get all players to follow protocol and do the right thing and at the end of the day you’re not putting only yourself at risk but you’re putting families and jobs at risk,” Bombers running back Andrew Harris said. “I think all coaches and players and staff should take it seriously and follow the rules because we want to keep this season going until the end.”

O’Shea wasn’t comfortable commenting on the decisions make by other teams, but he does see it as a significant message from the league.

“The CFL is serious about the protocols, serious about returning to play and very serious about finishing the season with a Grey Cup in December,” the Bombers coach said. “We work diligently to make sure we’re adhering to the protocols so all the other stuff you’re asking me to comment on, I’m not prepared to comment on.”

jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

twitter: @jeffkhamilton