A team already decimated by injuries at key positions on both sides of the ball was dealt another big blow on Saturday after the Winnipeg Blue Bombers shifted defensive linemen Celestin Haba and Miles Fox to the six-game injured list.
Haba went down clutching his knee, and Fox was also injured during the first half of Winnipeg’s weather-delayed 23-19 loss in Ottawa on Thursday, reducing the unit to just four players.
This injury added to an infirmary on the D-line that was already nursing two others, including TyJuan Garbutt and Cam Lawson.
Devin Adams stepped into a more prominent role with Haba and Fox out, recording three tackles, including an 11-yard sack on former Bombers backup Dru Brown.
The next-man-up mentality, something the Bombers have preached for years now, will be tested going forward.
If there’s a silver lining to be had here, it’s that defensive back Deatrick Nichols wasn’t immediately added to the injured list.
He, too, was forced out before halftime in Thursday’s game.
Who will fill in the gaps along the line won’t be known until Monday when the Bombers are back on the practice field.
Jamal Woods, who was a backup to Fox in the season opener and on the practice roster in Week 2, is likely to be back on the roster. Tanner Schmekel, Winnipeg’s 2023 fourth-round pick, filled in after Fox was injured and could be in line to take over starting duties.
After being injured and cut in training camp, the Bombers added defensive end Ali Fayad back into the fold on Saturday, placing him on the practice roster.
Fayad, who had a brief stint with the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles, played four games with the Toronto Argos in 2022, making four defensive tackles, another on specials teams, and adding a sack.
The Western Michigan standout will likely back up Adams as the defensive end opposite Wille Jefferson next Friday at home to the B.C. Lions.
Other notables on Winnipeg’s injured list include dynamic receiver Kenny Lawler and defensive back Jamal Parker on the six-game, and running back and 2023 Most Outstanding Canadian Brady Oliveira on the one-game.
Returner Smith returns
It’s been a hell of a rollercoaster ride for running back and return specialist Chris Smith.
After seemingly winning the returning job with the Bombers in their final pre-season game — thanks to a 109-yard punt return touchdown — Smith was subsequently cut the next day due to injury.
Now, he’s back.
The Bombers made one more addition to their practice roster on Saturday, welcoming the 24-year-old Louisiana alum back.
