Edmonton Journal

Three Esks named among CFL’s top performers

- CHRIS O’LEARY

It’s a clean sweep for the Edmonton Eskimos.

On the heels of an impressive 38-15 win over the Toronto Argonauts, three Eskimos were named the Canadian Football League’s top performers of the week.

Quarterbac­k James Franklin, kick-returner/slotback Kendial Lawrence and receiver Derel Walker were recognized for their efforts in improving the Eskimos’ record to 6-3.

Franklin shone in his first CFL start, completing 29 of 38 passes for 335 yards and one touchdown. He also ran the ball four times for 51 yards and a TD.

Lawrence, a second-year Eskimo and college teammate of Franklin’s at the University of Missouri, broke a 64-yard punt-return touchdown to turn the game in Edmonton’s favour in the fourth quarter. He finished with 263 all-purpose yards in the game.

Walker continued his assault on the league with his third-straight 100-yard-plus game. He had seven catches for 164 yards and his first CFL touchdown. The rookie has 31 receptions for 472 yards in three games. He currently sits 11th in the league in receiving.

Injured Reilly nears return to action

The clock could be ticking on Franklin’s time as the Eskimos starting quarterbac­k. Head coach Chris Jones told 630 CHED on Monday night that veteran QB Mike Reilly is “doing much better” rehabbing his knee injuries from the season-opener.

“He’s certainly very close to returning,” Jones said. “I told Mike the other day I’m not going to put him out there until he’s 100 per cent Mike Reilly.”

Jones said conditioni­ng is a key factor to determine when Reilly returns to the lineup.

“(After) 10 weeks without being able to run … if you can get the knee to where it needs to be, have you been able to do what you need to do to get your lungs back?” Jones asked. “And if you have your lungs, do you have the throwing ability? There’s a lot that factors into it.

“Nate (Hay, the Eskimos head athletic therapist) and those guys have done a good job of getting him back healthy and he’s done an outstandin­g job of doing everything asked of him to get his knee back right.

“Now it’s a matter of him working on his conditioni­ng and throwing, that kind of stuff, get back in the groove,” Jones added.

Jones said Franklin will start Monday’s Labour Day game in Calgary. The Eskimos will be looking for their first win at McMahon Stadium since 2011. coleary@edmontonjo­urnal. com Twitter.com/olearychri­s

 ?? JASON FRANSON/ THE CANADIAN PRESS ?? Eskimos rookie receiver Derek Walker is one of the CFL’s top performers of the week thanks to his game against the Argos.
JASON FRANSON/ THE CANADIAN PRESS Eskimos rookie receiver Derek Walker is one of the CFL’s top performers of the week thanks to his game against the Argos.

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