Prized prospect raring to make CFL debut

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This article was published 03/08/2011 (5557 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WINNIPEG Blue Bombers linebacker Henoc Muamba, the first overall pick in the 2011 CFL entry draft, has yet to play a down of regular-season football. That’s unlikely to change this week.

But the good news for Bombers fans is that Muamba — who injured his knee during the pre-season — is practising this week and feeling good about his chances to make his regular-season debut as early as next week.

“It feels great to finally get back on the field and take a few hits,” Muamba said Tuesday after practice at Canad Inns Stadium. “It’s just baby steps at this point, but I’m definitely getting close. Not this week, but maybe next. We’re taking it very slowly right now because the worst thing that could happen is to take a step back.”

Bombers head coach Paul LaPolice said Muamba’s injury is particularly delicate and a setback could put him out for the season or even cause permanent injury to the knee.

“So we’re going to be very cautious with that,” LaPolice said.

Also returning to the practice field this week is defensive end Jason Vega, who has missed three games with a knee injury, and linebacker Joe Lobendahn, who injured his ankle in Week 4 against Toronto.

LaPolice said Lobendahn practised and moved well on Tuesday, while Vega is possible for Friday’s game against Edmonton, but the club is leaning towards waiting one more week to reinsert Vega into the lineup.

Receiver Greg Carr, who has been dogged by a hamstring injury this season, has been practising with the second offensive unit this week.

LaPolice said the Carr is going to have to play his way back on to the roster.

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LaPolice calls it a foot injury. Doug Brown says it’s just old age.

Whatever it was, it kept the veteran Bombers defensive lineman from practising on Tuesday.

“It’s not a big deal. It’s just old age, man,” said Brown.

“We’ll see how he is (today),” said LaPolice. “His foot was kind of sore.”

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The Bombers announced Tuesday import receiver Damian Sherman, a 6-4, 213-pound product of Southern Illinois, has returned to the club and has been placed on the practice roster.

The Bombers brain trust were high on Sherman this spring, but he was injured at training camp and released. He practised with the club on Tuesday.

“He’s somebody we liked in camp,” said LaPolice. “One of the best things about him was he was a good student in the meeting rooms. He asked intelligent questions.”

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LaPolice suggested the high-flying Edmonton offence and the dominating Winnipeg defence will pose a good challenge for each other Friday night.

“They have talented receivers, a talented quarterback. It will be a challenge for us. I don’t think they’ve seen a defence like ours but it will be a big test for us. We have all the respect in the world for their team, we think they’re a good, young team.”

paul.wiecek@freepress.mb.ca