Watson and Hall gone for rest of Bomber season

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This article was published 15/10/2012 (4769 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It is a story line that has played out over and over again this season for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

So consider what is happening this week – lingering questions about whether Buck Pierce will start this Friday in Toronto and more names being added to the injured list – more of the same old, same old.

Bomber head coach Tim Burke told reporters this afternoon that slotback Cory Watson (leg) and defensive end Alex Hall (knee) will both miss the rest of the season due to injuries while defensive tackle Bryant Turner and receiver Rory Kohlert are out this week. Receiver Kito Poblah is day to day.

“I think that’s just about got it,” said Burke after rattling off the hurts list. “Obviously, losing both Alex Hall and Bryant Turner is really tough on us defensively because they are our two best pass rushers.

“And losing Cory Watson is tough, too. He’s probably our most-physical receiver and our best blocking receiver so you lose that element of the game when you don’t have him.”

The Bombers’ nine-game injured list, those gone for the season, already includes eight players: RBs Chris Garrett and Anthony Woodson, S Brady Browne, LB Rene Stephan, OL Tyson Pencer, Andre Douglas and Jordan Taormina and DT Brandon Collier.

As for Pierce, he has not yet been medically cleared to play. But when he is, Burke said again that the veteran pivot will take the first snap.

“We don’t have any update medically on Buck, so that’s still a day-to-day thing. Hopefully we’ll know something more (Tuesday),” said Burke. “If the medical staff releases him to play then he will be the starter.

“Despite our record we are still in the race. We know we have to win out, so it’s who gives us the best chance to win.”

The Bombers will return to the practice field on Tuesday.

Ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @WFPEdTait