Bombers bring back Prukop; Jeffcoat returns to practice

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This article was published 28/06/2023 (827 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

THE Winnipeg Blue Bombers have brought back a familiar face, inking quarterback Dakota Prukop to a one-year contract on Tuesday.

Prukop, 29, spent the 2022 CFL season with the Bombers as their short-yardage QB, but opted to sign this year with the New Jersey Generals of the USFL. He requested and was issued his release last week, at the conclusion of the 10-game season, creating speculation that a return to Winnipeg might be imminent.

The Bombers made it official just a few days later. Prukop then made the nearly 20-hour drive to Winnipeg from Canton, Ohio, with his wife, Blaire, and their newborn son, Bjorn, who arrived just eight weeks ago.

“My wife’s a champion,” Prukop said. “I don’t know how she did the road trip, but at the end of the day, I want to play football.”

While third on the QB depth chart, Prukop made a positive impact with the Bombers last season. He had 209 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns, along with 181 passing yards and two scores through the air. He started four games for the Generals, who went 3-7, finishing the year with 312 passing yards and 97 yards on the ground.

Prukop admitted he had been keeping an eye on his former team and couldn’t be happier to be back in the mix. He’s expected to dress and play against the Montreal Alouettes on Saturday.

“I’m not going to lie; I watched all the preseason games. I watched the first three (regular-season) games, and I just had that itch,” Prukop said. “I was lucky enough that Winnipeg would still have me back. It worked out and I’m extremely grateful and thankful to be here.”

To make room for Prukop, the Bombers cut QB Tyrrell Pigrome. Pigrome, who was affectionately known by his teammates as “Piggy T,” had impressed during the preseason but struggled with short-yardage duties in the regular season, ultimately leading to his release.

“From a human perspective, it’s never great releasing anybody who’s worked hard to be in the position they’re in,” said O’Shea when asked about releasing Pigrome. “But when Dakota agrees to a contract and we know exactly what he brings and how efficient he is with the football under centre, what he can do for us and what kind of teammate he is, too. There are all positives there. It’s tough on Piggy, obviously, but this was the right decision for our team.”

OH, BABY, BABY

Bombers defensive back Demerio Houston has another two reasons to be motivated when he steps on the field.

Houston missed last week’s game against the B.C. Lions to return home to Charlotte, N.C., to be there for his wife and the birth of their twins Truelyn and Lovelyn. Both babies and the mother are happy and healthy. The couple now has five children. Houston is back in Winnipeg and participated in Tuesday’s practice at IG Field.

“Man, I definitely gotta catch more balls and make a lot of plays so I’m able to provide and feed them,” said a smiling Houston to the Free Press.

JEFFCOAT RETURNS

Defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat also returned to practice. The Bombers all-star pass rusher left early into Week 1 with a calf injury and hasn’t played since. Jeffcoat, 32, was also hit by the injury bug last season, where he was limited to four sacks in 12 games. With Jeffcoat’s recent struggles to stay healthy, some expected the Bombers to take a look at signing veteran defensive end Shawn Lemon — a CFL all-star and the West Division nominee for most outstanding defensive player in 2022 — to add some depth at the position.

Instead, the Blue and Gold decided to be patient with Jeffcoat and trust rookie Celestin Haba to fill his shoes. Jeffcoat said he feels ready to play Saturday in Montreal, but that it’s up to the coaching and team medical staff.

“They believe in me. I think they’ve seen the work,” said Jeffcoat. “Things happen out here playing football. I haven’t been on the lucky end of it, but I’m excited to be back again. I’m excited to be back out here and I’m positive things will go well.”

Jeff.Hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

Taylor.Allen@freepress.mb.ca