Stampeders’ Mitchell resumes practising
Bo Levi Mitchell is back practising with the Calgary Stampeders.
The veteran quarterback returned to the field Monday in equipment after suffering a knee injury in Calgary’s 27-3 road win over the Ottawa Redblacks on Thursday night. Mitchell watched Friday’s rundown wearing a sleeve on his injured right knee.
Calgary head coach Dave Dickenson is taking a cautious approach regarding whether Mitchell will play Saturday night when the Montreal Alouettes (1-3) visit the Stampeders (4-0).
“He (Mitchell) was able to do some noncompetitive drills, so that’s a good sign,” Dickenson told reporters. “But it’s going to be day-to-day, if not week-to-week.
“There’s certainly some injury, so you have to be smart about it, but I think a lot of pro athletes have played with injuries. It’s just whether or not he can be not only capable but we can do a good job running our offence.”
Mitchell was injured with just over five minutes remaining in the second quarter after taking a low hit from Ottawa defensive lineman Danny Mason, who received a 15-yard roughing the passer penalty.
Mitchell remained in the game for three more plays as Calgary boosted its lead to 17-0 on a Rene Paredes 17-yard field goal but went to the dressing room before Calgary’s next possession.
Mitchell returned to the sidelines in the second half and watched the remainder of the game in uniform as Nick Arbuckle handled the offence.
“I’m a believer in you need to practise to play,” Dickenson said. “I’m going to play him if he’s healthy and ready.
“And when I say healthy, it’s that he can function at a high level.”
With Calgary’s win, Mitchell became the fastest quarterback in CFL history to reach 60 career victories. He improved his overall mark to 60-10-2 (.847), breaking the record established by Winnipeg’s Ken Ploen, who achieved the milestone in his 78th start, a 24-15 win over Edmonton on Sept. 23, 1963.
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Drew Willy could return under centre for the Alouettes as they take on the CFL-leading Stampeders in Calgary on Saturday. The Stampeders’ defence is allowing a league-low 9.5 points per game and was stellar in the Stampeders’ 27-3 road win in Ottawa.
Willy missed Montreal’s 28-18 loss to Ottawa on July 6 with neck/shoulder injuries after being injured in the club’s 23-17 road win over Saskatchewan.
Willy opened as Montreal’s No. 1 QB and has a 1-2 record.
Montreal was off Monday and will resume practising today.