Stamps-Eskimos battle again tonight

EDMONTON (CP) — The walking wounded are returning, and the already-potent Edmonton Eskimos’ offence has added one more weapon to its arsenal.

Four more players came off the team’s lengthy injury list this week and with the addition of former Eskimo and CFL all-star receiver Derel Walker, there’s a lot of positive vibes as Edmonton prepares for tonight’s rematch with the Calgary Stampeders.

Coming off the injury list are linebacker Blair Smith, defensive end Phillip Hunt and tackles Euclid Cummings and Da’Quan Bowers.

Head coach Jason Maas was particularly pleased to see Cummings back on the roster.

“The first eight games he played as well as anybody, so getting him back is big.”

Maas also noted veteran defensive end John Chick, obtained in a trade last week, had another week to get acclimatized and for the first time since Week 1 there are no changes in the defensive backfield.

The return of Walker, after he was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, could be a huge boost to the team. After two days of practice, he pronounced himself ready.

The Eskimos were 7-0 to start the season but have been outscored 126-75 on a recent three-game skid, including Monday’s 39-18 loss to the Stampeders. Edmonton’s current run has cast some doubt on if the team is a contender in the tight West Division.