Whitehead patiently waiting for chance to join lineup

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This article was published 25/07/2024 (419 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

TORONTO – Lucky Whitehead has been quietly putting in the work while the noise around him intensifies.

The veteran receiver was added to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers nearly three weeks ago, joining the practice roster despite playing the last three seasons with the B.C. Lions.

Whitehead was brought into the fold on somewhat of an emergency basis, following serious injuries to Kenny Lawler and Dalton Schoen, to help bolster a group that was suddenly inexperienced.

He was never promised any playing time when the Bombers reached out to him. Head coach Mike O’Shea noted several times in the immediate aftermath how much he appreciated Whitehead for “taking the role he was given,” suggesting it was simply a chance to recapture his career and that he would have to work to increase his opportunity.

That hasn’t stopped fans from bombarding Whitehead with the same question everyone keeping an eye on the Blue and Gold has been pondering: when is Lucky going to finally play?

“I’m afraid to post (on social media) at this point because that question always comes up,” Whitehead told the Free Press following Thursday’s closed practice. “People keep asking me when I’m getting in.”

It wasn’t long ago the Bombers hosted their annual fan appreciation night. Whitehead said fans were asking him when he would be playing every time he signed an autograph.

“I tell them I’m working,” added Whitehead, who was a fan-favourite when he played for the Bombers in 2019.

“Lots of people think you just go out there and the quarterback throws you the ball. There’s more to it than that. I’m definitely itching, but it’s for the best.”

So, for the last almost three weeks, Whitehead has been doing just that. He’s gets to the stadium early most days to get in extra studying, understanding he’s playing catchup.

While there’s certainly familiarity with the organization from having played in Winnipeg, there are also new challenges. He’s working under a new offensive co-ordinator in Buck Pierce (Pierce was the QB coach in 2019) and many of the teammates he played with on offence are no longer with the club.

There’s been notable progress.

“Lots of people think you just go out there and the quarterback throws you the ball. There’s more to it than that. I’m definitely itching, but it’s for the best.”–Lucky Whitehead

Whitehead said the different language in the playbook is no longer foreign to him and he’s nailing down the timing of his waggle, working out of the X receiver spot. He’s also capable of returning, but would need a full understanding of the offence since he would be backing up one of the receivers if Winnipeg decides to go this route.

It hasn’t been hard to check his ego, either, even for someone who has seen notable time in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys early in his career and was a threat with B.C., even if his play dipped as time went on.

“I know I need to be patient. You might have heard my name, or seen the tape or whatever, but I got to earn the respect of my teammates and that happens out there on the practice field,” Whitehead said.

“Everyone knows what I can do, what I’m capable of. I need to earn that trust. I don’t want to go out there looking like I don’t know what I’m doing. When that time comes, I’ve got to be reliable and be an asset and help us win games. When I go out there, I want to stay out there.”

Now, back to the question of when. O’Shea wouldn’t even let the question finish before providing an answer, knowing exactly what was coming.

After all, there are several teammates also curious when Whitehead’s time will come. Currently, the Bombers are starting a trio of rookies in Ontaria Wilson, Josh Johnson and Kevens Clercius, who was drafted in the second round by the Bombers in May.

“I thought he had a good week this week and we’ll see where we go,” O’Shea said.

It doesn’t appear Whitehead will get his shot Saturday in Toronto against the Argonauts. The Bombers have one more game, against the B.C. Lions, before heading on a bye in Week 10. They also face the Lionswhen they return to action after the bye.

“I thought he had a good week this week and we’ll see where we go.”–Mike O’Shea

It’s expected that Lawler will make his return for one of the games against the Lions, likely after the bye. With Lawler back, that makes it all the more difficult for Whitehead to make the jump to the active roster.

For now, though, Whitehead is focused on what he can control. Which means putting in more work and waiting, hoping he gets that shot eventually.

“I just can’t wait to get out there and feel that excitement,” he said. “It would feel great to be out there with the boys again.”

Jeff.Hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

X: @jeffkhamilton