After an extended break, the Edmonton Eskimos were back on the field Thursday to prepare for Monday’s Labour Day Classic in Calgary against the Stampeders.
Some good news on the injury front — head coach Jason Maas says receiver Adarius Bowman should to be good to go for Monday.
“Yeah, he’s off the six-game (injured list), he’s going to get back into the lineup and hopefully do great things.”
Bowman has been out since July 14 with a lower-body injury. He has recorded 153 yards receiving and two touchdowns.
Maas says Bowman will be a welcome addition to his lineup.
“No question, to have one of your playmakers back in the lineup and a guy you have relied on for many years here in Edmonton,” Maas said. “It’s always great to have someone like him back.”
READ MORE: Edmonton Eskimos battle the injured list
Bowman says being out of the lineup was difficult but it allowed him to become a mentor to the younger players. When it comes to the Labour Day Classic on Monday, it’s a big game for the Eskimos who have lost two straight games and sit in third place in the Western Division at 7-2, just a point back of the 7-1-1 Stampeders for first place.
Bowman has also explained what Labour Day means to the new players. The best way to describe Labour Day, says Bowman, is to think of your most heated rival in college football.
“You remember those college rivals? That’s how I feel. The Labour Day Classic gives me those same kind of feeling,” Bowman said. “It lasts through the whole year no matter how your season ends up at the end, everybody remembers Labour Day. For us, it’s been tough. I’ve been here seven years now so it’s been tough when we go down there so we are really trying to make a change this year.”
Listen below: Eskimos receiver Adarius Bowman is excited about returning to the lineup on Monday.
The Eskimos have lost their last five Labour Day Classic games and have won just twice in their last 11 meetings. At present, the Eskimos are trying to shake a two-game losing streak. They fell 54-31 to the Saskatchewan Roughriders last Friday. Quarterback Mike Reilly threw for 160 yards passing and was intercepted twice, both returned for touchdowns. Reilly says watching the film of the loss wasn’t easy.
“My performance wasn’t good enough in general of course but that type of stuff trickles down to the rest of the team.” Reilly said. “It was hard watch but once moved on from that it kinda lit a little bit of a fire. I think I always play a little bit better pissed off.”
Linebacker Adam Konar was a full participant on Thursday as his stint on the six-game injured list looks to be coming to an end. Receiver Vidal Hazelton is on the one-game injured list and was a partial participant in practice. Offensive lineman Simeon Rottier practised for the first time since suffering an injury back on July 20 in Hamilton. Linebacker Terrance Bullitt and defensive back Arjen Colquhoun didn’t practice, both were injured in the loss last week to the Riders.
Kick-off Monday from McMahon Stadium in Calgary for the Labour Day Classic is at 1 p.m. 630 CHED will have Countdown to Kick-off starting at 11:30 a.m.
The Eskimos made a roster move on Thursday, signing National fullback James Tuck, who was a fourth round pick of the Montreal Alouettes in the 2014 CFL Draft. Tuck has played 33 career games for the Alouettes, Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Toronto Argonauts, recording 19 special teams tackles and one defensive tackle. He was released by the Argos on Aug. 21 after playing four games this season.
Concerns about flooding in the Houston area
The devastation of Hurricane Harvey ,which has caused massive flooding in Houston, Texas and surrounding areas, has been seen by so many people around the world. Eskimos linebacker Kevin Jackson grew up in nearby Cypress, Texas and attended University at Sam Houston State. Jackson says his aunt lives in the area and has been affected by the flooding.
“She hasn’t been back to her house yet,” Jackson said. “She works for a nursing home and they needed 24-hour care for the people so they put them all in hotels. She hasn’t checked on her house yet.”
Mike Reilly’s sister and family live in Corpus Christi, Texas and have evacuated.