The Edmonton Eskimos will play their first pre-season game on Sunday when they host the Calgary Stampeders on The Brick Field at Commonwealth Stadium (pre-game show at 3:30 p.m., kick-off at 5 p.m. on 630 CHED).
Quarterback Mike Reilly is expected to see some playing time in the game and will you will notice his jersey number will be different. Reilly will wear number zero in Sunday’s game to honour the late Larry Highbaugh who passed away on March 21.
Reilly says he first approached Eskimos management about the idea during CFL week in Regina back in March.
“To me it’s our first game in Commonwealth with him no longer with us and so I just felt appropriate for nobody to be wearing that number.”
Reilly has worn number 13 for most of his football playing career. He wears the number in honour of former NFL quarterback Dan Marino.
Reilly will also make Eskimos history becoming the first player to ever wear the number zero in franchise history.
Day 11 of the training camp was a testy session for the Eskimos as three scuffles broke out including two involving the offensive and defensive lines during one-on-one drills. Head coach Jason Maas said it’s to be expected at this point in training camp.
“The good thing is after I talked to both sides and told them for the rest of the practice if they do it again they’ll be kicked out of practice, we’re going to treat it like a game from here on out and there was not one incident,” Maas said. “That’s what I like to see our guys disciplined and focused.
“Intense and aggressive is what we love about our team anyways so that I’m not too worried about.”
Running back Travon Van practiced with the team for the first time in a week. Receiver Shamawd Chambers, defensive backs Marcell Young and Forrest Hightower remained out nursing injuries.
The Eskimos will have their final set of two-a-day practices tomorrow at 8:30am and 10:30am.