Harris will play, with Augustine at the ready for Bombers when they face Eskimos

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This article was published 21/08/2019 (2260 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

If there’s one thing the Winnipeg Blue Bombers excel at, it’s keeping player injuries under wraps.

During Tuesday’s practice, star running back Andrew Harris left a blocking drill holding his right arm. He was a non-participant afterwards, and at one point, when all of his teammates and coaches got down to do pushups, he opted to do sit-ups instead.

Head coach Mike O’Shea brushed it off after practice, saying Harris is “fine” and they told him to take practice off to “give somebody else a chance to get the reps.”

O’Shea was asked if Harris participated on Wednesday.

“He was out there,” the coach said, holding his cards close to his chest.

O’Shea said he felt good about the prospect of Harris playing when the Bombers visit the Edmonton Eskimos Friday night, but fell short of confirming he would.

But all appears fine with No. 33, as Harris underwent a few more tests before getting the green light, a source told the Free Press Wednesday evening.

Harris didn’t participate in Wednesday’s closed practice, so he wasn’t made available to media.

“Yeah, he should be good,” O’Shea said earlier.

O’Shea is not one to tell the media any more than he has to. But if it turns out Harris’s injury is worse than O’Shea is letting on, second-year running back Johnny Augustine would likely be the next man up.

Augustine — a Welland, Ont., native who played at the University of Guelph — has seen limited action this season, with nine carries for 60 yards in seven games. Last year as a rookie, Augustine had seven carries for 51 yards and a touchdown against Edmonton in Winnipeg’s regular-season finale.

Augustine said he’s not preparing any differently this week, but if his number is called, he’ll make the most of it.

“Each time I get in (the game), I do my best,” the 26-year-old said. “Whatever it may be. If it’s for a 20-yard run or even if it’s for a first down. Whatever the team needs me for, I’m willing to do. I know at the end of the day, I’m backing up a CFL legend.”

Augustine had a bit of an opportunity to show what he’s capable of in last week’s 32-16 victory at home over the B.C. Lions. He had a season-high five carries for 25 yards.

Harris leads the CFL in rushing with 819 yards in nine games, along with two rushing touchdowns. He also has 45 catches for 322 yards and three touchdowns.

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @TaylorAllen31

jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @jeffkhamilton