A bye week is supposed to a be a time for players to sit back, relax, heal up, and get the mind away from football for a few days. For some members of the Calgary Stampeders, next week may be anything but.
John Hufnagel and Dave Dickenson have had some horrendous luck with injuries this year, and in fact, that bad luck dates back to last year. Deron Mayo, Pierre Lavertu, Junior Turner and Quinn Smith were unable to answer to training camp as they rehabbed hurts that predate this season.
Brandon Smith went down before week one of the regular season. Roman Grozman got concussed early in camp. Cordarro Law and Ja’Gared Davis went down early.
The hits just kept a-comin’ to the point where an astounding 16 players are on the six-game list with Kamar Jorden the latest to join the swelling ranks of the swollen.
Good news, everybody! The list is about to start shrinking.
Actually, as I alluded to off the top, that’s not good news for everyone. Brandon Smith is ready to play right now. Regulars like Mayo, Turner, Davis and Smith are close and may be ready after the bye.
The problem? Some people will have to go to make room.
Dickenson has made it clear he’s not the kind of coach who will give a starter his job back just because he’s healthy. In spite of that, Mayo and Smith are automatics to return to the secondary, despite strong performances from Maleki Harris and Shaq Richardson.
Turner will have to battle Derek Wiggan for his old job. Quinn Smith will have to unseat someone on the offensive line. Even a guy like Rob Cote will be in a fight coming off the concussion protocol, as William Langlais, Charlie Power and rookie Ante Milanovic-Litre have done nothing to take themselves off the field.
Not everyone will survive as the sick bay empties out. Practice roster players hoping for a shot may never get it. Veterans unwilling to face reduced roles or smaller paybacks may be released. Interesting days are ahead.
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