Blue boys endure owwee epidemic

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 05/07/2011 (5243 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers special teamer Jason Nugent limped off the field after practice Monday, taking each step in stocking feet with special care.

Blisters got the better of him in the morning heat, but Nugent should consider himself among the lucky ones these days.

The injury bug apparently likes the muggy conditions because there was a full infestation of it at Canad Inns Stadium. Nine players, seven of them starters, were on the sidelines with separations, bumps and bruises of varying degrees.

Playing the role of Dr. Bomber was head coach Paul LaPolice, who should be commended for his ability to recite the list of injuries without the aid of notes or hand signals from the communications staff.

Where should we start?

Non-import wide receiver Kito Poblah suffered a strange knee injury, the extent of which is still unknown, in the Bombers’ 24-16 win in Hamilton on Canada Day. The club is being extra careful with their prized rookie, choosing to wait until the swelling subsides a bit more before making a final determination on what the recovery should entail.

Veteran slotback Terrence Edwards (arm) is listed day-to-day and is a good bet for Friday’s contest with the Toronto Argonauts (6:30 p.m., Canad Inns Stadium), provided there are no setbacks this week.

“I’m going to have to take hits on it and I have to catch it, so if I’m not able to do all that… I’m not going to hurt my team.” Edwards said.

Also probable for the Argos game is defensive back Jovon Johnson (hip pointer). He watched the workout from the bench Monday, but LaPolice is confident he will be able to suit up.

Injuries are part of football — they’re nearly impossible to avoid — but this isn’t what the head coach wants to see so early in the season, especially not when young players are still learning the nuances of the CFL game.

No one likes being forced into decisions on who plays due to health concerns.

“You have to be really smart and say, ‘OK, this guy is going to practise all week,'” LaPolice said. “He may not be the guy you exactly want to do this, but you put him there because you know he’s going to get every rep every day.”

Backup safety Brady Browne won’t see much game time any time soon. He suffered a torn bicep in Hamilton and will be on the shelf for an extended period. Expect to find his name on the nine-game injury reserve list.

Players dealing with nagging hurts include defensive end Odell Willis (groin) and wide receiver Greg Carr (hamstring). Both are day-to-day cases.

How many is that — six? We’re not done.

Those who didn’t make the season-opening trip to Hamilton are probably not going to make the home opener either.

Linebackers Henoc Muamba (knee) and Clint Kent (ankle) are still not in pads, and whispers around the stadium suggest both will be out at least another week.

Johnny Sears (high ankle sprain) is still weeks away, too. His workouts consist of watching the coverage schemes from the bench and removing his walking boot when it gets too sweaty.

Kent put it best Monday:

“We’re taking it slowly right now, but I want to get out there soon — we all do,” he said. “It’s somewhat frustrating. I went through this last year (he missed the start of the 2010 season due to injury). It’s not a lot of fun having to watch.”

The healthy Bombers, and maybe some of the above, are back on the practice field today.

adam.wazny@freepress.mb.ca