Demski gets his shot as top offensive target

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This article was published 25/06/2024 (483 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Nic Demski has established himself as one of the most dangerous receivers in the CFL.

But now, for the first time in his career, the 30-year-old Winnipegger will have a chance to show what he can do for an extended period of time as a true No. 1 target in an offence.

With Kenny Lawler (arm), Dalton Schoen (knee), and Keric Wheatfall (knee) all on the six-game injured list, the Blue Bombers need Demski now more than ever.

He’s now the face of a receiving corps that features Drew Wolitarsky, rookies Ontaria Wilson, Josh Johnson, Myron Mitchell and Kevens Clercius, and second-year Canadian Jeremy Murphy.

“I’m a competitor and this is what I play for,” said Demski after Tuesday’s practice. “I play for chances to make plays for this team. And you know, it’s a little bit of a different role, but at the same time, it’s just another opportunity to go out there and be great and do what I love to do. I don’t want to put too much pressure on it, but of course, the writing is on the wall with the opportunity that I do have so I have to make the most of it.”

Demski finished last week’s 26-24 loss to the B.C. Lions with a team-high eight catches for 94 yards after Schoen left in the third quarter with a non-contact injury.

He’s not patting himself on the back, though. If anything, he’s lost some sleep over his performance as Demski is convinced he cost the Bombers the game.

Down by two with just over two minutes left, the former Manitoba Bison was open on a deep corner route. Quarterback Zach Collaros threw the ball half a yard too far as Demski reached out and was only able to get his fingertips on it.

The receiver still thinks he should’ve had it.

“I think every time the ball is in the air I can make a play on it. Zach obviously has a bunch of trust in me to put the ball up in the air on a corner route and I didn’t come up with it,” said Demski.

“I may be hard on myself, but it is what it is. That’s what makes me the way I am on this field.”

NICHOLS UPDATE

Star halfback Deatrick Nichols returned to practice Monday.

On Tuesday, he was back in street clothes.

The defender missed last week’s game and the secondary missed him big time.

Head coach Mike O’Shea said Nichols looks good but they wanted to give him a rest day.

SCHOEN DONE FOR SEASON?

O’Shea was asked if the club expects star receiver Dalton Schoen to return this season.

He’s on the six-game injured list, but that doesn’t mean he’s only out for six weeks.

Schoen went down with a non-contact knee injury and those can be quite serious.

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He has not been seen at practice this week.

“I think it’s pretty early. We put him on six-game, and we’ll see if he has to go on another one,” said O’Shea.

“It’s still pretty early, so, we’ll see.”

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

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Taylor Allen
Reporter

Taylor Allen is a sports reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. Taylor was the Vince Leah intern in the Free Press newsroom twice while earning his joint communications degree/diploma at the University of Winnipeg and Red River College Polytechnic. He signed on full-time in 2019 and mainly covers the Blue Bombers, curling, and basketball. Read more about Taylor.

Every piece of reporting Taylor 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.