Bombers lock up linebacker Wild

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This article was published 22/09/2015 (3980 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

THE Winnipeg Blue Bombers have agreed to terms with linebacker Ian Wild.

Wild was released by the Pittsburgh Steelers during training camp and after exhausting NFL opportunities signed with the Bombers.

The club has yet to make an official announcement, but CFL sources confirmed the signing. Wild was expected to arrive in Winnipeg late Monday or early today.

His availability for Friday’s game is unknown, but at the very least he’d be an upgrade for the special-teams units.

Wild was with the Blue Bombers for the 2013 and 2014 seasons collecting 142 tackles, 27 special teams tackles, four pass knockdowns, five forced fumbles, four sacks and six tackles for a loss in 23 games.

BULLISH ON BRUCE: The Bombers also extended the contract of defensive back Bruce Johnson.

Johnson is in his second year here and was set to be a free agent in February. He signed a three-year extension.

Johnson joined the Bombers in 2014 and has 91 defensive tackles, two interceptions, and one fumble recovery over 28 career starts.

“Bruce is a very key part of our defensive secondary,” said GM Kyle Walters. “He’s been extremely steady and reliable for us since he first stepped on the field last season. It was important for us to lock up a key piece of our defence moving forward, and we’re pleased Bruce also felt the desire to remain a Blue Bomber.”

MORE MUAMBA: Former Bombers linebacker Henoc Muamba is scheduled to have a workout with the NFL’s Green Bay Packers today. Muamba has now had visits with four CFL teams and has multiple offers.

The NFL, however, remains the priority and there is “no rush or deadline” for a decision in the CFL.

Expect Muamba to wait as long as he can for an NFL gig before making a return to Canada. Where will he go? Only he knows.

ISN’T THAT SPECIAL: The Bombers fired special-teams coach Pat Tracey two weeks ago and head coach Mike O’Shea has taken over that department. Alouettes return man Stefan Logan shredded the Bombers for 273 yards on kick and punt returns. Logan returned a punt 78 yards for a TD and then took a kickoff back 95 yards to open the second half, which was quickly converted into a TD.

“I’ll take a look at the coverage units and rejig it a bit. But we’ve got guys that can play,” said O’Shea. “Absolutely. We’ll look at the schemes and the systems and whether anybody is keying on what we do.”