The Winnipeg Blue Bombers said Thursday Matt Nichols will be out of the lineup for the next four to six weeks with a knee injury.
“We’re going to put him on the six game (injured list), like we do anybody who’s out four to six (weeks),” head coach Mike O’Shea said. “If he’s healthier in the four (weeks), which I would think he would be, then he’ll come off the six game.”
While its not exactly good news for the team and their fans, it’s not as bad as originally feared after Nichols went down in practice Wednesday afternoon.
“It’s a positive that it’s that timeline for sure,” O’Shea said.
“I think Matt’s a pretty positive guy. I think he’s pretty fired up when you say four to six (weeks).”
WATCH: Raw Blue Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea Media Briefing – June 7
The quarterback was dropping back to make a pass in practice on Wednesday when he crumpled to the field in pain.
“He ripped his helmet off and threw it on the ground… when you see that happen you know that this might not be good,” 680 CJOB’s Bob Irving said Wednesday. “Because athletes don’t respond this way unless its something they feel, and they know their bodies, something they feel is very serious.”
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“It didn’t look good.”
He had to be helped off the field by medical staff.
In 2013 Nichols, who was quarterback for the Edmonton Eskimos at the time, missed the entire season with a torn ACL in his right knee.
With Nichols headed to the injured list the Bombers can either go with an inexperienced quarterback on opening night or general manager Kyle Walters could explore their trade options.
“I imagine he’s fielding a pile of calls, but we’re pretty happy with what we got,” O’Shea said. “Do I believe we got the guys right here, right now? Absolutely.”
The guys he speaks of are Alex Ross and Chris Streveler. Ross was on the B.C. Lions roster last season but only completed one pass in the Bombers’ first pre-season game. While Streveler is fresh out of college and went 10-for-10 in leading the Bombers on a pair of touchdown drives last week against the Edmonton Eskimos.
“That’s why we’re having this second exhibition game to see who the ‘two’ is, and now that two is moving up the depth chart,” O’Shea said.
“Tomorrow is a really big day to go out and get better,” Streveler said. “And improve, and learn and grow, so I’m not really looking too far past that.”
WATCH: Raw Chris Streveler Interview – June 7
“Regardless of the situation, it is still an opportunity,” Ross said. “My mindset hasn’t changed as far as coming out here, showing the coaches I compete and doing the best I can.”
WATCH: Raw Alex Ross Interview – June 7
“They don’t like the way they get these opportunities,” O’Shea said. “Nobody does, but they are opportunities, and we’ll see who takes the most advantage of it.”
The Bombers close out their pre-season schedule on Friday against the Lions.
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