The Winnipeg Blue Bombers made a number of moves as they returned to the practice field for the first time since their season-opening victory.
The Bombers released one of their big free agent signings in receiver Reggie White Jr. and signed long snapper Ian Leroux to the practice roster.
White was only on the practice squad after not making the initial 45-man roster out of training camp. Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea told the 680 CJOB Blue Bomber Coach’s Show that they knew White wasn’t willing to stay on the practice roster with a reduced salary long term.
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“We didn’t have a spot for him on the active (roster) at that moment in time,” O’Shea said. “He said he probably couldn’t last more than a week on it. He needs to look after his family, so he wouldn’t be staying very long. But he gave us a week at least just to see how we came out of the game.
“It’s too bad. We liked him. He’s a good football player. I thought he did well in camp. I thought as camp progressed, he got better and better. That’s the crappy part of the business side.”
Leroux returns to the club after he was one of the late cuts in training camp. Linebacker Shayne Gauthier handled the long snapping duties after veteran Mike Benson was injured in their win over the BC Lions.
The Bombers also activated first string quarterback Zach Collaros who was suspended for their first game for failing to respond to an off-season drug-testing request. And punter Jamieson Sheahan was transferred to the practice roster, which O’Shea called a clerical move. It’s only temporary to free up a roster spot for Collaros to avoid releasing another player.
The Bombers will travel to B.C. to face the Lions in the rematch on Saturday, with kickoff just after 6 p.m.
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