ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
If there was a hex on the Argos Canadian talent it was in full effect last week in Calgary. As the game progressed, it seemed that non-imports were dropping like flies due to injury. With three of those who went down now on the injured list, the Argos are more than relieved to see a familiar face factoring into their ratio when they travel to Winnipeg to open up a home-and-home with the Blue Bombers.
Veteran RB Jeff Johnson will return to the lineup after missing the entire season so far with a triceps injury. Johnson has always been a rock on special teams and a threat out of the Argos’ backfield. However, this game his return will be even more crucial with fellow Canadians Andre Talbot, Tyler Scott and Matt Lambros all sitting out with injury.
The three wideouts were the biggest victims of the injury bug that bit last week and, as a result, the Argos will be dressing three other Canadians in addition to Johnson. Newly re-acquired receivers Chad Rempel and Brad Smith will enter the lineup, accompanied by S/LB Tang Bacheyie who has been added to the team’s 45-man roster. Bacheyie’s rights were acquired by Toronto on Thursday morning and former B.C. Lions WR Cory Rodgers signed a practice roster agreement with the club.
Defensively, the Argos will dress the exact same lineup as last week, and special teams will likely see DB Devonte Edwards return as the primary kick returner alongside CB Matt Black.
The Boatmen will be looking to exploit some of the inexperience of Bombers’ starting QB Stefan LeFors who has struggled so far this season. Through three games he’s passed for just 429 yards and completed just over 44% of his passes.
The Argos enter Winnipeg with the same 1-2 record as the Bombers, and are trying to gain eight (8) points in the next two games against their division foes. The Argos will complete the second half of the home-and-home with the Bombers next Saturday at Rogers Centre on Family Day.
Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. ET at Canad Inns Stadium in Winnipeg on Friday night. Watch the action live on TSN/TSN HD or listen on Fan590.com or Sirius Satellite Radio. Fans can also follow the game with real-time stats on argonauts.ca by using Live Play.