Harris on practice field, mostly as spectator

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This article was published 27/09/2016 (3297 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

ANDREW Harris is a definite maybe for the third straight week.

The Blue Bombers tailback has been out of the lineup since injuring his ankle in Winnipeg’s 17-10 Banjo Bowl victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders Sept. 12.

Harris had both ankles taped and looked like he was ready for action Tuesday when the club returned to the practice field following Saturday’s last-second 36-34 defeat to the Calgary Stampeders at McMahon Stadium, but apart from some spot work here and there, he spent most of the morning watching running back Timothy Flanders take first-team reps.

Canadian receiver Julian Feoli-Gudino, who has started the last two weeks to satisfy league ratio requirements, got first-team work as a result of Harris’s absence.

When practice ended, Harris had shed the tape and was not available to speak to the media.

Head coach Mike O’Shea said Harris would spend time with the team’s athletic therapist and test the ankle again Wednesday as the team continues preparations to take on the Edmonton Eskimos Friday night at Investors Group Field.

Flanders has performed admirably in Harris’s spot since taking over two weeks ago. The 24-year-old CFL rookie has 197 yards and two touchdowns on the ground and a further 82 receiving yards on 10 receptions in eight quarters of play.

The logical next question, given the success of both backs is, will there room for both men when Harris is healthy?

‘The way we’re built and the way the offence is running, I don’t know how you get them both in’Mike O’Shea, on if both Andrew Harris and Timothy Flanders could start in the backfield

“I get asked that a lot,” O’Shea said. “Not right now. The way we’re built and the way the offence is running, I don’t know how you get them both in.”

scott.billeck@freepress.mb.caTwitter: 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.

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