Bombers’ Walls out for the season

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 09/10/2009 (5841 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have had their worst fears confirmed: defensive end Gavin Walls is gonzo for the rest of the season.

As reported first this morning in the Free Press, the knee injury suffered by Walls in last Friday’s win over the Edmonton Eskimos is severe enough that his 2009 campaign is done.

Walls, third all time on the team’s career quarterback sack list, will have reconstructive surgery on his anterior cruciate ligament on Oct. 22.

“We’re disappointed, obviously,” said Bomber head coach Mike Kelly. “It’s a blow to us because he is truly one of our leaders.  He’s probably one of the more under-appreciated players that we have because he’s so steady at what he does people take him for granted. He’s a good football player and we’ll miss him.”

Newcomers Odell Willis and Phillip Hunt, who have been sharing one end spot, will now man the outside of a defensive line anchored in the interior by Doug Brown and Dorian Smith.

Walls is the second starting defensive end to be lost for the season for the Bombers, following the exit of veteran Fred Perry with a broken arm. As well, the team traded ends Riall Johnson and Shawn Mayne to the Monreal Alouettes for Ricky Santos.

Kelly also confirmed today after practice that Barrin Simpson will replace middle linebacker Joe Lobendahn, who is out with a bad hamstring.

Ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca