WINNIPEG Kenny Lawler is prepared to assist the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
After suffering a broken right arm in their season-opening loss on June 6 due to a hit from a Montreal Alouettes player’s helmet, the standout receiver resumed team practise on Tuesday.
After the team returned from their first bye week of the season, Lawler told reporters, “First day out there, it’s been a long, long time.”
“Everything that I could have imagined. Man, it feels so amazing to be back out there with the men, wearing my hard hat.”
When the Blue Bombers (3-6) go to play the B.C. Lions (5-4) on Sunday, a team that may start recently acquired Canadian quarterback Nathan Rourke at quarterback, he thinks he’s ready to go.
Lawler doesn’t have any precise targets for the rest of the season, despite having stated before training camp that his objective was to surpass 2,000 receiving yards and score 23 touchdowns in 2024.
“Whatever the team needs,” Lawler stated on his approach. “Currently, whatever the team needs is what it is.
“Let’s make it if the play comes my way. Find a way to assist the player with the ball if the action doesn’t go my way.”
Mike O’Shea, the head coach of Winnipeg, stated that Lawler’s participation on Sunday is not assured.
“We need to give him a week of practice before assessing his progress. It’s been a while since he played football,” he remarked.
Lawler served a six-game suspension last season after being found guilty of driving under the influence in 2021. The suspension was related to immigration issues. After making a comeback, he caught 50 passes for 901 yards and six scores in 12 games.
O’Shea is pleased that Lawler and his teammates were on the field this week.
Quarterback Zach Collaros of the Bombers stated, “It’s great to have him back out there.” “Clearly his energy. What he brings to the table includes his explosiveness and excellent football-catching skills.”
When asked if he felt Rourke could catch up on the CFL game after missing a year and a half, Collaros said he didn’t think so.
“It depends on whether I was staying in shape or sipping Miller Lites on the couch,” he remarked, adding that he was certain it was doable.
Rourke’s signing was revealed by the Lions on Tuesday. On Wednesday, he is anticipated to be at practice.
After that season, the 2022 CFL Most Outstanding Canadian decided to try his luck in the NFL and left the Lions. He played for a while for both the New England Patriots and the Jacksonsville Jaguars.
He was cut during training camp by the New York Giants, who had taken him off waivers in May of this year. The Atlanta Falcons signed him on August 1st, but then released him on Sunday.
The Lions are having difficulty at the moment, which is why Rourke was added.
Starting quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. suffered a knee injury during Winnipeg’s 25-0 victory on August 1, sending B.C. on a three-game losing streak. In his place, Jake Dolegala took over.
The Bombers and Lions are knotted at one win apiece in their three-game season series.
According to O’Shea, the league benefits from Rourke’s return. He anticipates being on the field on Sunday and absorbing whatever information he needs from the playbook.
O’Shea stated, “They don’t sign him not to play him.” “He’s been in the system and he knows what to do.”
After going through a “roller-coaster” in the NFL over the last several months, Rourke is back in the CFL, according to Winnipeg defensive end Willie Jefferson.
He might throw out his arms to receive the “young, knowledgeable” quarterback back, but it won’t be a pleasant experience.
“Returning to the CFL and rejoining us this week, our goal is to make it tough for him,” Jefferson said. “When we get the chance to reach him, we want to do it quickly, do it often, bring him down, and make sure he feels it. We want those initial hits to be strong and impactful.”
DEFENCE RECEIVES A LIFT
Bombers defensive end Celestin Haba also made a comeback to practice on Tuesday after being sidelined with a left knee injury since Winnipeg’s second game of the season, a loss to the Ottawa Redblacks on June 13.
According to O’Shea, his status for the encounter on Sunday is also unknown.
The Canadian Press initially published this item on August 13, 2024.
Judy Owen from The Canadian Press
