Eskimos’ injury trend lingers
Chris Streveler may be making his first Canadian Football League start on Thursday, but things won’t look completely unfamiliar to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback playing in place of injured starter Matt Nichols.
Two weeks ago, Streveler came in as a backup to complete all 10 of his pass attempts for 140 yards and a touchdown on the way to a 33-13 win over the Edmonton Eskimos at Investors Group Field.
Admittedly, it was a pre-season game against an opponent who left all but a handful of starters back home.
In Thursday ’s season opener (6:30 p.m., TSN, 630 CHED), Streveler will face the pocket crashing threat of perennial all-star defensive tackle Almondo Sewell, while middle linebacker J.C. Sherritt will look to cut down on the quarterback’s 4.45-second 40-yarddash mobility.
But, just like in that earlier exhibition, Streveler will be throwing against an Eskimos secondary that will once again feature but a single — albeit different — projected starter.
Veteran safety Neil King will be surrounded by newcomers Maurice McKnight, in place of injured cornerback Johnny Adams, and defensive half Nick Taylor, who is filling in while Aaron Grymes is away attending to personal matters. Rookie Money Hunter is starting ahead of defensive half Forrest Hightower, who has been dealing with bumps and bruises, while second-year Eskimos defensive back Jordan Hoover is making just his second start at cornerback for the injured Arjen Colquhoun.
“They’re definitely different than the guys we had pencilled in front of them,” said Eskimos head coach Jason Maas. “But at the same time, I’m excited to watch those guys and, as a defence, we’re ready to rally around them.”