Harris’s status uncertain for Saturday’s game vs. Argos

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This article was published 15/09/2016 (3366 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The wait-and-see game regarding Andrew Harris’s status for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Week 12 matchup against the Toronto Argonauts will likely culminate in a game-time decision come Saturday afternoon.

The 29-year-old running back missed a third consecutive day of practice on Thursday morning as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers prepare for a date with the 5-6 Argos, who are coming off a 33-21 triumph over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in Week 11.

Blue Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea didn’t lean one way or another on whether Harris would be good to go or not as the Bombers go for their seventh straight win on Saturday, but said earlier in the week that Harris, along with fellow infirmary member Ian Wild, who has also missed each workout this week, wouldn’t need to practise to be considered for the final 46-man roster.

“We were in this situation in Week 1 where it was right down to the wire (with Harris),” O’Shea said following Thursday’s practice. “He came through for us (then), you got to give him the benefit of the doubt.

“He’s a pro. He’s preparing. When you can’t take reps, you sit there in meetings and pay attention and do your thing.”

If Harris can’t go, Blue Bombers offensive co-ordinator Paul LaPolice has confidence in backup tailback Timothy Flanders.

“He does it right every day and we have faith in him and there’s a reason he’s here,” LaPolice said. “We expect him to be the next man up and go and perform.”

Meanwhile, after a week of practice, including the lion’s share of reps working with the first-team defence, it appears defensive back Chris Randle will make is long-awaited return to the team’s secondary this week. What remains to be seen is how much time, and where the 28-year-old, who has missed the last six weeks with a lower-body injury, will find a spot in Winnipeg’s loaded backfield.

“I don’t think it’s a decision we’ve quite made yet,” O’Shea said. “We still got some more film to watch and another day to go (the Bombers will hold their pre-game walkthrough on Friday). Chris Randle is obviously a top-calibre DB in this league. He’d be tough to keep out.

“Based on his experience level, he’s played at a high-level at more games than a bunch of our guys. I think the one thing you notice about Chris Randle, and I’ve said this before, he’s got that ability to drive practice. He can change the way practice is going, not just the games.”

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Offensive co-ordinator Paul LaPolice said he felt former No.1 pivot Drew Willy worked well in some ways in his offence, but ultimately trades happen in football.

“This is a change business. I’ve changed places many times and I’m sure with Drew it will be just like Matt (Nichols). Matt had different opportunities at different places, same thing will happen with (Drew). You’re always disappointed when you lose a guy. He had a great relationship with guys, but it’s part of the business. You shouldn’t be in pro football if you’re worried about missing out on consistency.”

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Through 11 weeks of the 2016 season, the Blue Bombers have 40 takeaways (the most in the league), and 100 points off of them (the only team in triple digits in that regard).

Defensive co-ordinator Richie Hall’s ball-hawks have been nothing short of sensational so far, with 21 of those takeaways in their last four games. The secret? Well, there really isn’t one.

“They put themselves in position and make the most out of the opportunity,” Hall said. “We stress going after the football because ultimately that is what everyone is chasing.”

scott.billeck@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @scottbilleck

Scott Billeck
Reporter

Scott Billeck is a general assignment reporter for the Free Press. A Creative Communications graduate from Red River College, Scott has more than a decade’s worth of experience covering hockey, football and global pandemics. He joined the Free Press in 2024.  Read more about Scott.

Every piece of reporting Scott produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.