Garrett hurt, out of running

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 27/06/2012 (4844 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A date with the Grey Cup champions and a four-game road trip to open the season.

The degree of difficulty at the start of the Bombers’ 2012 schedule was amped up even higher when starting running back Chris Garrett tore his Achilles tendon in his left leg Tuesday.

The third-year back fell to the Canad Inns Stadium turf after catching a pass and trying to cut underneath a would-be tackler towards the end of practice.

He couldn’t put any weight on the leg as he was helped into the cart, and was on crutches as he left the Bombers facility after the two-hour workout.

Head coach Paul LaPolice told reporters after the session it was a serious injury, but he wanted to wait until the doctors had a look at the 25-year-old before forecasting what the Bombers’ ground attack would be against the B.C. Lions (Friday, 9 p.m.).

Later Tuesday afternoon, the club issued a statement indicating Garrett was lost for the season.

Not the start the Bombers were hoping for.

“We are extremely disappointed after hearing the news from the doctors about how serious Chris’s injury exactly is,” GM Joe Mack said in a release. “It is unfortunate for the club, but also for Chris, as he was someone who was looking forward to being a big part of our offence this season.”

Losing Garrett — the only player in the Bombers’ backfield with CFL experience, albeit just seven games over the last two seasons — is a blow to the Winnipeg offence. In six starts last season (after Fred Reid tore up his knee), the Ohio University product had 576 yards and four touchdowns. Factored over a full 18-game season, that adds up to 1,728 yards and 12 touchdowns.

So it’s easy to see why the Bombers had high hopes for Garrett in 2012.

With backup Chad Simpson also dealing with a lower-leg injury (he missed his second straight practice Tuesday), the Bombers’ running-back duties could fall to Bloi-Dei Dorzon against the defending Grey Cup champs.

Dorzon, a 5-9, 205-pound back who was added to the practice roster after failing to make the club out of training camp, took his jump in the depth chart in stride.

“If I’m needed to step up, I’m ready,” Dorzon said.

After spending the final two months of the 2011 season on the practice roster, the Jackson State product was arguably the best tailback in training camp, handling eight carries for 76 yards and a touchdown in the two pre-season games. Compare that to Simpson, the former NFLer (nine carries, 58 yards), and it’s evident why the Bombers aren’t in any rush to bring in a veteran option to replace Garrett.

“Out of the backs we had, (Dorzon) performed just as well as everybody else, if not better, than all the guys in pre-season,” LaPolice said.

“If that’s any indication, I think he’s ready to step in.”

But LaPolice has not officially ruled Simpson out for the B.C. game. His status for Friday’s contest will be updated today. If Simpson is a no-go (and it would be shocking if he was given the green light), it’s Dorzon — the latest Winnipeg running back to get a chance because of injury to the incumbent.

Remember, Garrett, who was actually cut by the Bombers prior to the 2011 season, only landed in the Winnipeg offence thanks to the injury to Reid.

Dorzon didn’t know the extent of the Garrett injury when approached by reporters after practice Tuesday, but he was confident he could step into the Winnipeg offence and contribute if called upon.

“I felt like I had a great pre-season — you guys heard,” he said. “I’m ready, man. If it’s my turn, then it’s my turn. If it’s not, then I’ll keep working hard.”

The only other tailback on the Winnipeg roster is rookie Canadian Anthony Woodson. Second-year Bomber Carl Volny, who’s getting back from an ACL injury last season, starts this season on the one-game injured list.

adam.wazny@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @wazoowazny