Buck back at practice; Burke not sure he’ll play against Als

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This article was published 03/10/2012 (4952 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Injured Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Buck Pierce returned to the practice field at Canad Inns Stadium on Wednesday, but whether he will be able to play in Montreal against the Alouettes next Monday remains to be seen.

Pierce and the rest of the Bombers team held a light 45-minute practice Wednesday morning, their first since the beleaguered club fell to 3-10 with a 29-10 loss to the Toronto Argonauts last Saturday.

Pierce did some light running and worked with the first team offensive line. The club did not make Pierce available to the media after practice but head coach Tim Burke said Pierce reported to him that he had no headache for the second consecutive day.

However, Pierce hasn’t yet been cleared to join his teammates when the club begins full practices again on Thursday. Burke said Pierce still has one more final concussion test he must pass before he gets the go-ahead and that test won’t take place until later today.

“He’s that positive he will be back, but he still has to be evaluated today,” said Burke. “If he’s not cleared today, then he gets tested again tomorrow.”

Burke said the Bombers are otherwise mostly healthy this week. Linebacker Henoc Muamba has a sore ankle but Burke said he expects him to be able to practise this week.

Meanwhile, the expected airlift of practice roster players began on Wednesday with the signing of non-import defensive back Jawann Westerman (5-11, 177, Rutgers).

Westerman, 25, is the middle Westerman sibling, sandwiched between Arizona Cardinals linebacker Jamaal and BC Lions rookie defensive lineman Jabar.

Burke said the Bombers will also be adding three more players to the practice roster on Thursday: an offensive tackle previously identified as Lee Barbiasz, a recent cut of the Jacksonville Jaguars; and a middle linebacker and a receiver Burke did not identify.