WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers made a couple of moves as week one of training camp came to a close on Saturday.
The Bombers released international receiver Kieren Duncan who was injured, and was going to miss the next few weeks of training camp anyway.
“It was unfortunate we had to let Kieren go, but he wasn’t going to be ready for a few weeks, so we needed to get a body in.” head coach Mike O’Shea said. “Things sort themselves out in camp sometimes. When you’re down at a position, you need to bring in someone to fill that position right, so you don’t have this domino effect of the other guys in that same group by getting worn out by taking more reps.”
The Bombers filled the vacant roster spot by signing defensive back Matt Smalley. The 23-year-old played four seasons with the Lafayette Leopards from 2012 through 2015. Smalley also has experience returning kicks.
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The team may also have interest in former Bombers receiver/returner Quincy McDuffie who was waived by the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys. McDuffie will probably weigh all his options south of the border before making the decision to return to the CFL.
“I haven’t spoken with him.” O’Shea said. “I imagine Kyle (Walters) and his staff are figuring that out or talking to him, at least starting an initial conversation, but who knows, I’m not sure what his wishes would be. Probably, I’m sure he would be advised from his agent to stick around and do something, try and wait it out. I mean he led the league in kickoff return average last year and when he got on offence he was pretty dynamic.”
In his first season with the Bombers in 2016, McDuffie led the league in kickoff return average. He returned 42 kicks for 1165 yards for two touchdowns and a CFL best 27.7 yard average. He also scored a touchdown on offence to go along with 241 yards receiving.
The Bombers play their first exhibition game on Saturday, June 10 in Regina against the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
WATCH: Head Coach Mike O’Shea on Quincy McDuffie
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