Willy back on the field after tough hit to the head

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This article was published 06/07/2015 (4083 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

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The Winnipeg Blue Bombers starting quarterback will be back at his post as the Montreal Alouettes roll into town Friday.

Drew Willy practised with the Bombers No. 1 offence Monday, the club’s first day back since last Thursday’s loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and a hellacious hit to the head of the Bomber pivot by defensive lineman Adrian Tracy as he was being sacked by Taylor Reed. Willy watched the second quarter from the tunnel after passing all concussion tests, but the club’s medical staff opted to hold him out of the game for precautionary reasons.

“I feel good. I was glad to be out there today competing with my teammates,” said Willy after practice Monday. “I processed everything fast out there today and I’m looking forward to looking at the practice film and keep working this week.”

All hits to the head are reviewed by the CFL, but the Bombers did submit tape of the shot to Glen Johnson, the league’s vice president of officiating.

Willy, meanwhile, said he hadn’t thrown a football over the weekend, but he looked sharp at practice on Monday.

“Protection-wise, we just had a miscommunication and Reed came off untouched and held me up and 93 (Tracy) got me,” said Willy of the play. “You see it all over the league, the same kind of blitzes. They got a good shot on me”

Willy was motionless on the turf after the hit, but said he can remember every bit of the hit clearly.

“(The hit) doesn’t look good or anything,” said Willy. “But it’s football and I know what I signed up for.”

Willy finished the game three-for-six for 48 yards and an interception before being replaced by Brian Brohm after the injury. Brohm struggled, completing 16 of 28 passes for 146 yards and being intercepted twice and both returned for touchdowns.

Ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @WFPEdTait