Ellingson a maybe for Saturday tilt in Cowtown

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This article was published 28/07/2022 (1189 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Greg Ellingson torched the Calgary Stampeders for 152 yards on 11 receptions when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers defeated them in Week 6 at IG Field, but hold your horses on seeing him in the lineup this week.

The 33-year-old wide receiver missed last week’s win over Edmonton with a hip injury and was once again absent from practice Thursday afternoon. Ellingson hasn’t been ruled out yet for Saturday’s contest and was listed as questionable on the team’s injury report Thursday.

It’ll be the next-man-up mentality once again for the Blue Bombers, who have used depth to their advantage through seven games this season.

“I think our staff does a good job of making sure guys are prepared, I think Ted (Goveia), Danny (McManus), Kyle (Walters), make sure we are fully stocked when it comes to training camp,” said Blue Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea following the team’s practice Thursday. “And then really, credit goes to the players to make sure that they’re always ready.”

Thursday was a positive sign for Winnipeg’s offensive line as Geoff Gray (thorax), Pat Neufeld (hip) and Stanley Bryant (resting veteran) were full participants. Running back Johnny Augustine, who was out of practice Tuesday and Wednesday, also looked good to go for Saturday’s game against the Stamps.

However, the quartet was listed as questionable on the team’s injury report Thursday.

“Every day, whether I practice or not, it’s always good to be out there with the boys,” said Augustine. “It was all good, just going through the reps today.”

Winston Rose appeared to tweak his left ankle during Thursday’s practice, but got it taped up, continued going through drills and wasn’t listed on the injury report. Defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat (hip), who didn’t play in Edmonton last week, was at Thursday’s session, but wasn’t a full participant and was also listed as questionable for Saturday’s game.

The Champs are a draw

Calgary and Winnipeg played in front of 29,746 fans at IG Field two weeks ago and the rematch appears set to garner a strong gate too.

Reports out of Calgary Wednesday from Danny Austin suggested the Week 8 rematch between the two sides was trending toward being the biggest crowd so far this season at McMahon Stadium. Austin reported there are expected to be more than 25,000 fans at the game.

“I always say, we’re making the CFL popular again,” said Bombers receiver Rasheed Bailey. “It’s popping and people are paying attention to what we’re trying to do, we’re playing on ESPN2, we’re playing on ESPNEWS, all those things are good for the sport.”

O’Shea echoed Bailey’s statement and added that any time two good teams play each other you’d hope there are a lot of eyes on the game. He also said that you’d hope the game is really good.

“Obviously both teams want to win, I do feel strongly… it’s really important we play good football too, I mean it is a fan-driven league.”

Gavin.Axelrod@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: Gavin77axe