Time out ‘frustrates’ Buck

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This article was published 21/07/2010 (5870 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Maybe it’s reality, or simply wishful thinking and the warrior in Buck Pierce speaking, but the Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback isn’t ruling out a return to action as early as next week.

And although various media reports Tuesday had his low-grade sprain of the medial collateral ligament keeping him out anywhere from two to six weeks — diagnoses denied by the Bombers — fans should know this: The football club officially placed him on the one-game injured list, making him eligible to play when the they are in Calgary to face the Stampeders on July 31.

Of course, that isn’t going to stop the organization from throwing him on the injured list again next week and beyond, but it does mean they have their collective fingers crossed that Pierce can recover quickly. He watched practice Tuesday wearing a brace on his right knee for part of the session before removing it prior to visiting with the media.

"This week will be me resting it up and getting it better," Pierce said. "There’s still some range of motion that needs to be worked out. But I’m feeling good and it’s coming back faster than I think everybody really expected. I’m able to ride the bike today and do some things and move around, but we also don’t want to push it too hard right now.

"It’s still earlier in the week and I’m going to continue to just treat it and do everything I can to get back as soon as possible."

Steven Jyles will make his second career start in Pierce’s place in this Saturday’s home date against the Edmonton Eskimos, with Alex Brink moving up to No. 2 on the depth chart and newcomer Joey Elliott likely to dress as the third-string QB.

Pierce, whose 108.3 quarterback efficiency rating is third-best among CFL starters after Saskatchewan’s Darian Durant (112.3) and Kevin Glenn of Hamilton (110), was injured in the third quarter of last Friday’s loss to the Tiger-Cats. Initially, there were fears Pierce’s injury might be long-term, but after returning to Winnipeg, the swelling and pain subsided.

"It could have been a lot worse," he said. "When you look at it on film and you look at the way it did twist… and me wanting to jump right back up and go right back in probably wasn’t the smartest thing. But they do a good job here and they’re watching me fairly close and making sure I’m on schedule for where I need to be for next week, hopefully."

Pierce’s injury history is extensive, given damage to his shoulder last year that required surgery and past concussions. But this is the first time in his career he’s injured his knee.

What is especially frustrating for Pierce — and for an organization that was seeing his jersey fly off the store shelves — is that the hoopla surrounding his early-season success, even with a 1-2 record, will be temporarily put on hold with him out of action.

"It’s obviously very frustrating, especially with it so early in the year right now, and I wanted to get things going again right here at home," Pierce said.

"It’s very frustrating, but I’ve been in this situation before and I’ll do everything I can do as a leader of this team and a locker-room guy to do my part and make sure everybody’s on the same page. Anything they need me to do, I’ll be happy to do it."

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca