Bombers back to work after opening loss

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This article was published 09/06/2024 (653 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will be without one of their biggest weapons for the foreseeable future.

Wide receiver Kenny Lawler left Thursday’s 27-12 season-opening loss to the visiting Montreal Alouettes in the second quarter with what’s being reported as a fractured arm.

He’ll likely be placed on the six-game injured list, but depending on the type of fracture, it could take months to heal.

It’s a scenario the Bombers have experience with as Lawler — the CFL’s leading receiver in 2021 — missed the first six games of 2023 after pleading guilty to a drunk driving charge.

“That ended OK,” said head coach Mike O’Shea after Sunday’s practice, alluding to the fact that they still had the highest scoring offence in the league last year.

For it to end OK this time around, they’ll need some new faces to produce. Early signs indicate practice roster receiver Keric Wheatfall could be getting a promotion as the rookie was working with the starters on Sunday.

The team would not comment on the specifics of Lawler’s status.

“It’s unfortunate, man. But you know, Kenny’s gonna be here with us and helping out, being whatever factor he can be. I told him after the game ‘We’re gonna need you more now than ever’ especially with these young guys,” said receiver Drew Wolitarsky.

“Kenny brought a certain energy and any time you lose that, it’s big. Other guys are going to have to step up. We lost Kenny last year for the first six and we’re gonna have to find a way this year for the first six.”

Wheatfall attended Philadelphia Eagles training camp in 2022 as an undrafted free agent out of Fresno State. He went on to play three games in the USFL for the Philadelphia Stars in 2023.

“He’s an explosive player,” said quarterback Zach Collaros. “I thought he had a great training camp. He can learn each and every position. If he has the opportunity, I think he’s going to do really well for us. I think the young guys all had good camps, and he’s certainly somebody who stood out to me.”

The Bombers are also monitoring star running back Brady Oliveira. He was sidelined for the closing minutes of Thursday’s game and was in street clothes on Sunday. Oliveira, last year’s runner up for the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player award, was a spectator for all of training camp with an injury he sustained from offseason training.

The Bombers are on the road this week to take on the Ottawa Redblacks on Thursday. Ottawa had a bye in Week 1.

“It’s gonna be one of those processes where we ease him back into it,” said O’Shea. “We’ll see on Day 3. I feel pretty good about (him playing Thursday) right now.”

Bighill’s back

It’s not all bad news for the Bombers on the injury front as linebacker Adam Bighill was back on the field Sunday manning the middle of the defence.

The 35-year-old was placed on the six-game injured list early in training camp, but O’Shea was confident at the time that he wouldn’t be out for that entire duration.

Bighill declined to say if the injury was related to the partially torn calf he suffered in last year’s playoff run.

“I expect to play this week. Just getting a feel for everything out here today and making sure everything felt good, but yeah, it felt good,” said Bighill.

Castillo gets his wish

Sergio Castillo spoke and the CFL listened.

The veteran kicker uncharacterisically missed three kicks on Thursday — a convert and two field goals from 38 and 40 yards out — and was very passionate afterwards saying it was the microchipped footballs that caused the misfires. The embedded computer chip — which is used to gather statistical data through the league’s partnership with Genius Sports — is located beside the laces, and kickers around the league believe the ball loses its centre of gravity due to its weight which causes it to travel incorrectly.

After Castillo spoke out and fellow kickers backed him online, the league announced Friday that the chipped footballs are now optional on kicks and punts.

“I’m just glad that they heard our voice. At the end of the day, the league wants a great product out there. I think when you’re able to work with the league together like that, good things can be done,” said Castillo. “All nine of us (kickers) were in it together and we got this fixed. I’m just happy none of us have to deal with this issue.”

Ford being pushed at corner

Corner back Tyrell Ford didn’t have a good time on Thursday.

Montreal receiver Tyson Philpot did most of his damage — 141 yards and two scores — against the second-year Canadian.

On Philpot’s second touchdown, he blew past Ford for a 76-yard catch and run on a flea flicker.

“I had a tough time sleeping, you never want to give up that big of a play,” said Ford.

Second-year Bomber Tyrique McGhee is on the practice squad but took some reps with the starters in Ford’s spot on Sunday. But Ford, who was chosen in the second round of the 2022 CFL Draft, isn’t concerned about losing his job.

“I’ll still play football, don’t worry. I got it,” Ford assured.

Teacher vs. student

Dru Brown sat behind Zach Collaros and took notes for three seasons.

Now as the starting quarterback in Ottawa, Brown can show what he learned. The Bombers traded the pending free agent to the Redblacks in the offseason. Brown, 27, saw action in eight games last year and tossed nine touchdowns and zero interceptions.

“I love him like a little brother,” said Collaros. “I hope he doesn’t play that well this week, though.”

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

X: @TaylorAllen31