After a mock game on Friday, and a successful Fan Day on Saturday – which attracted upwards of 4,000 fans – the Edmonton Eskimos were back on The Brick Field at Commonwealth Stadium for the start of Week 2 of training camp.
Sunday’s session was good, according to quarterback Mike Reilly. He says this is the part of training camp where players will be tested even more both physically and mentally.
“It’s kind of the dog days of camp. We had a double-day today and another one tomorrow so you really see who really enjoys football,” Reilly said. “The first week everybody is excited to be here, the guys start to get nicked up, there’s a lot of stuff in the install. So you see when guys come out and they still have energy and when they’re doing the stuff right, you know they really want to be here.
“It’s good to see guys still competing during camp but at this point the install’s getting close. We still have about half-way to go on it but there’s a lot a stuff in for the young guys to figure out.”
Running back John White has been through the training camp grind before, this is his fifth CFL training camp and says this is the week where players start to separate themselves.
“Yeah, dog days but you know this is where the dogs prevail and come out the pack,” White said. “You see which ones are strong and are willing to go that extra mile even though they are a little banged up.”
Some players who were banged up returned on Sunday. Receiver Brandon Zylstra participated in the first session as he slowly works his way back from a pre-camp groin injury. Also returning Sunday were running backs John White, Kendial Lawrence along with receiver Bryant Mitchell.
Lawrence had his big toe stepped on at the end of Thursday’s session and says he’s happy he wasn’t out for very long.
“Yeah, big time, I just got stepped on too many times,” Lawrence said. “I got these pretty thin cleats on so I really felt the impact. I’m rested up, I’m energized, and I’m back and ready to go.”
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Receiver Shamawd Chambers, running back Travon Van, defensive backs Marcell Young and Forrett Hightower, and defensive lineman Da’Quan Bowers missed Sunday’s practice because of injury.
The Eskimos have released quarterback Brett Smith just one week into training camp. The team has three quarterbacks on the roster with starter Mike Reilly, backup James Franklin and Danny O’Brien who is the number three pivot.
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The Eskimos signed running back Marion Grice, who most notably spent time in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals in 2014. He was signed by the Ottawa RedBlacks last November and was released a week ago.
The Eskimos will have two sessions Monday morning on The Brick Field at Commonwealth Stadium at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.