Injured Bighill itching to get back into game

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This article was published 24/07/2019 (2284 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Blue Bombers linebacker Adam Bighill has been a patient man these past few weeks, although he fully admits it isn’t his style.

For the fourth week in a row, Bighill will be a game-time decision. He’s been ruled out at the last minute in the team’s previous three games.

“Oh, man, I don’t have patience,” the 2018 CFL’s most outstanding defensive player said. “I mean, I live in one-week cycles. It’s been tough to watch these last three games. I’m just so happy my guys went out there and held it down and did a great job. It’s tough watching, but watching what they did made me proud.”

Despite practising on Monday and Tuesday, Bighill wasn’t ready to say he’ll be good to go for Friday’s game in Hamilton.

“Well, I mean, we’re still (in) part of the recovery process and just kind of following the protocols with Al (Couture, the team’s athletic therapist),” Bighill told the media on Tuesday. “And, you know, getting back out on the field and start doing practice and stuff and just kind of take it from there, day to day, because at the end of the day, that’s just part of the protocol. You’ve got to be able to level up in steps and, as we go to game day, that’s where we want to make sure we’re feeling our best and good to go.”

The status for receiver Chris Matthews on Friday remains unclear, as for the second day in a row, he was made unavailable to the media. But it does appear the team will once again roll with Kenny Lawler, instead. Lawler took the first-team offence reps on Tuesday and hauled in an impressive catch in double coverage at one point. Lawler had five catches for 83 yards and a touchdown in Friday’s 31-1 win over the Ottawa Redblacks.

“He does a great job,” Bombers offensive co-ordinator Paul LaPolice said of Lawler. “First of all, systematically doesn’t make a lot of mistakes. And he high points the ball. He makes incredible catches and he has strong hands. So, if you put the ball in the air, he’s going to make the catch.”

Safety Jeff Hecht, receiver Nic Demski and tackle Jermarcus Hardrick were all back as full participants at practice on Tuesday.

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @TaylorAllen31

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.

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