Bryant sidelined, but Blue won’t panic

By: Paul Wiecek Posted: 3:00 AM CDT Wednesday, Jun. 3, 2015

WINNIPEG Blue Bombers offensive lineman Stanley Bryant, the club's big free agent signing during the off-season, sustained an injury during practice Tuesday morning and was a spectator for the second half of Day 3 of Bombers training camp.

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This article was published 03/06/2015 (3771 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WINNIPEG Blue Bombers offensive lineman Stanley Bryant, the club’s big free agent signing during the off-season, sustained an injury during practice Tuesday morning and was a spectator for the second half of Day 3 of Bombers training camp.

Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea said after practice he didn’t know what happened to Bryant, but did not think the injury was anything that would keep him out of the lineup long-term.

“I don’t think it would be (serious),” O’Shea told reporters. “He didn’t leave practice. He didn’t keep practising, but he stayed on the field.”

Rookie receiver Addison Richards and veteran linebacker Dan West missed practice once again Tuesday. Both men have yet to suit up through three days of main camp, although Richards did take part in last week’s rookie camp.

O’Shea said both men need “a couple more days.” O’Shea has refused to discuss what is wrong with West or Richards but sources indicated neither is seriously injured and both are expected back on the field this week.

Other players taking maintenance days Tuesday included veteran defenders Maurice Leggett and Zach Anderson.

The injury to Bryant and his uncertain status came on the same day Bombers QB Drew Willy raved about his new left tackle.

“He seems like a great guy. He’s come out here and done really well for us already,” Willy said. “He just goes about his business, takes care of the left side and as a quarterback you have to enjoy that.”

The offensive line yielded a team record 71 sacks in 2014 and Willy was asked whether he already feels better protected by a O-line that includes a new left tackle in Bryant, a new centre in Dominic Picard and could conceivably include new guards and a new right tackle by the time training camp is over.

“Time will tell once we get into the games,” Willy said of his new protection. “It’s just one of those things we’re trying to work through every single look we can with coach (Richie) Hall’s defence and every single night going into the meetings and making sure we’re protected.”

Willy previously played with Picard in Regina, where the former was the backup QB and Picard the starting centre. Willy said the familiarity has helped in making the adjustment this spring to lining up under a new centre.

“Getting used to new personnel takes time. But obviously playing with Dom in the past and just being around him in meetings in the past, you get a sense of what he’s about. He’s obviously played a long time so he must be doing something right.”

paul.wiecek@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @PaulWiecek