Demski finally getting his training camp reps in

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This article was published 29/05/2024 (529 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Veteran players are notorious for not being big fans of training camp.

That doesn’t apply to Blue Bombers receiver Nic Demski who doesn’t feel all that great about missing the first 17 days.

“I felt almost a sort of guilt when I wasn’t out here,” said the 30-year-old.

Demski was taken off the injury list just in time to suit up for the 18th and final full day of camp Wednesday. He declined to go into detail about what kept him out of action.

“I’ve played a lot of games in this league. This is my ninth year of playing professional football, sixth year here of being in this system. I don’t want to come out and say I don’t need a lot of reps. That’s not the case. I feel any time a new season begins you have to knock the dust off, get your reps, see defensive coverages and all that good stuff,” said Demski.

“Any time you’re away from training camp and working with the guys, it’s obviously not the best or most ideal situation but you just roll with the punches.”

Demski hasn’t been the only Winnipegger sidelined in recent weeks; running back Brady Oliveira has also been unable to play. Oliveira continued to sit out Wednesday as the club made its final preparations and evaluations heading into Friday night’s pre-season finale against the visiting Calgary Stampeders.

Head coach Mike O’Shea is confident the Bombers will get their star rusher back before the June 6 season opener at home against Montreal.

“He’s close,” said O’Shea.

Demski is coming off of the best season of his career after making 67 catches for 1,006 yards and six touchdowns.

In an offence loaded with weapons such as Dalton Schoen and Kenny Lawler, he still manages to find a way to carve out a substantial role.

“I just know how versatile and how much of a threat we can all be out there,” said Demski.

“We definitely have the pieces, we just got to come out here and put it all together and I have full confidence that we’ll do it.”

Collaros out for Friday

Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros will not play Friday against Calgary.

O’Shea doesn’t want to roll the dice and feels his starter will be just fine for Week 1’s Grey Cup rematch without seeing live action before then.

“Doesn’t need it. Feels good, looks good,” said O’Shea.

More vets are expected to get the night off as well.

Backup QB Chris Streveler sat out Wednesday, which means rookie pivots Terry Wilson and Darren Grainger could get all the work.

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

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