Bombers mum on knock to noggin

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 08/07/2019 (2256 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

His team is the last undefeated squad remaining in the CFL and quarterback Matt Nichols expects to be in the middle of the action when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers push for their fourth consecutive win against the 0-3 Toronto Argonauts in Week 5.

Those prospects didn’t look very encouraging midway through the third quarter in Ottawa Friday night. Nichols, after galloping 18 yards for a first down on a QB keeper, took a good lick from Redblacks linebacker Kevin Brown and went down briefly.

He was ushered to the sidelines with an apparent head injury and was soon pulled from the game for good and watched the rest of Winnipeg’s 29-14 win from the sidelines, appearing to be in good spirits.

The 32-year-old was back at practice Monday at IG Field but would not directly answer questions about whether he had suffered a concussion on the play.

“We don’t really discuss all that stuff outside the building,” said Nichols. “Obviously that (leaving the game) was just the best choice at the time. All I can tell you is I feel great and looking forward to being out there this week.”

The suspicion that Nichols had likely gone through concussion protocol was not addressed.

“We don’t talk about injuries like that,” said head coach Mike O’Shea. “Basically there have been a lot of assumptions and guys are going to write whatever they want to write and use whatever words they want to use. He went out of the game, got evaluated. Information we had right then was hold him out.

“We’re always going to err on the side of caution with players. Shortly after he comes out he says he’s feeling pretty good. That’s it.”

Nichols’ big regret was not sliding in a timely fashion.

“I had plenty of time to slide, which is the thing,” said Nichols. “I kinda made the decision too late and got myself in an awkward position. I think if I would have went full out into the blowup I would’ve been fine but I kinda made the decision to slide too late and then all of a sudden you’re in a vulnerable position.

“It’s just a fine line for me — you get down earlier or go full steam ahead because that’s how you can protect yourself.”

Nichols was disappointed to leave in the middle of his most productive passing game of the season — completing 16 of 20 passes for 262 yards and one touchdown in 2 1/2 quarters of play against a respected Redblacks defence.

He has no intention of going easy on the Argos, who have been outscored 114-38 so far and will be heavy underdogs when they travel to Winnipeg Friday.

“I don’t know what the spread was last week, you know what I mean,” said Nichols. “That’s nothing we ever focus on or even know about as players. For us, I’ve been in this league long enough and it’s professional football and they’re a good football team, despite what anyone wants to say. Turn on the film and they have talented football players and I know they have a good coaching staff over there, a lot of veteran coaches, so for us it’s our same approach that we have every week.

“We need to put in the work out here on a daily basis, show up on game day, perform well on game day and we believe we have a good football team. When we do those things, we can win football games but you don’t just come out expecting to win… I think everyone out here understands that.”

The Blue Bombers’ ability to sustain drives and keep their defence off the field contributed to a dominant effort on the road.

“I think it’s just a difference of we ran 40-something plays the week before and almost 80 last week…,” said Nichols. “It really came down to me making accurate throws and good reads and our receivers making some tough catches. When you do those things, stay on the field and put up points, good things happen.”

Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter

Mike McIntyre | On Sports

Thursdays

Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter.

Sign up for Mike McIntyre | On Sports

Sign Up

I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

Three other Blue Bombers starters were spectators at practice, including all-star linebacker Adam Bighill (hamstring), wide receiver Chris Matthews (hand) and defensive back Anthony Gaitor (undisclosed). Reserve defensive back Marcus Rios was also on the sidelines.

Bighill did not play in Ottawa but O’Shea suggested he could be ready for Friday. Gaitor and Rios could also be cleared to play while Matthews’ injury is a bigger issue.

“He’s gonna need a week, for sure,” said O’Shea.

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @sawa14