Bombers checking out of sick bay

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This article was published 31/08/2022 (1148 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

After a game in which a handful of players couldn’t finish owing to injury, it looked as though practice this week for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers might start a little thinner than normal.

Instead, the Bombers were greeted by several familiar faces returning from injury. As for the players who were banged up during a 31-29 win over the Calgary Stampeders last Thursday, while not everyone returned to practice Wednesday, it wasn’t all bad news.

Brady Oliveira was back in the mix at practice after missing the second half against the Stampeders. The CFL’s leading rusher was scheduled for an x-ray on Friday, with the results clearly coming back favourable, as Oliveira (thorax) was a full participant looking no worse for wear.

That couldn’t be said about defensive backs Demerio Houston and Patrice Rene.

Houston, who was at practice but didn’t participate, pulled up lame early into the game in what is being described as an abdomen injury. Rene, who had his first CFL game shortened a short time after Houston, which included having to be carted off the field, is currently out with a knee injury. Both are unlikely to suit up against the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the annual Labour Day Classic game in Regina Sunday afternoon.

Winston Rose has moved over to the boundary corner to cover off Houston, while Jamal Parker takes over for Rose on the field side.

Returner Janarion Grant missed last week with a groin injury and was once again absent from practice (Parker was getting his reps in the return game). Same story for receiver Greg Ellingson, who hurt his foot during practice last week before being added to the six-game injured list.

The good news for Winnipeg was the return of all-star safety Brandon Alexander. Alexander had been rehabbing after knee surgery for an injury he suffered in last year’s Grey Cup game and Wednesday was his first formal workout with the club. He’s likely not to return this week – he wasn’t even listed on the team’s injury report – but it’s certainly a good sign that’s he’s close.

Michael Couture might just get back into action this week, though that hasn’t been confirmed. The Bombers centre was practising for the first time since breaking his arm in Week 1. Couture was working with the first-team offence on Wednesday but was working mostly at the guard position while Patrick Neufeld (ankle) had a maintenance day.

Defensive backs Malcolm Thompson and Redha Kramdi were also back practising after missing the past few weeks.

“What’s really neat is watching all the guys see those guys come back on and take reps,” O’Shea said. “All the guys practising can witness all the guys on the sidelines working for months on end with no clear timeline or end game. So, when they finally step on the field and get to take practice reps, I think the whole team really appreciates it.”

STREVELER SUPPORTED BY FORMER TEAMMATES

Former Bombers quarterback Chris Streveler took the NFL pre-season by storm, helping lead the New York Jets to three consecutive victories over the month of August. Streveler combined for 24-of-33 passing for 277 yards, five touchdowns and one interception, while also rushing the ball nine times for 71 yards. In all three games he received a personal shoutout from head coach Robert Saleh.

As a reward, the Jets cut him this week, leaving many of his former teammates with the Blue and Gold curious as to how that could have happened. Bombers middle linebacker Adam Bighill, who spent the 2017 NFL season jumping from the practice to the active roster with the New Orleans Saints, was quick to share his displeasure about Streveler getting released, tweeting: “What a joke… that’s the NFL for you…”

On Wednesday, it was announced that Streveler had cleared waivers and been added to the Jets’ practice roster.

“I think it’s awesome for Chris,” Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros said. “Chris is a great guy, a hard worker, a hard-nosed dude. He made the most of his opportunity, which to anybody who knows him is not surprised about it. I’m really happy for him.”

Jeff.Hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @jeffkhamilton