Mitchell optimistic on return to action

CALGARY— Bo Levi Mitchell was back on the practice field Friday. Well, sort of. The Calgary Stampeders quarterback attended the team’s rundown Friday, one day after its dominant 27-3 road win over the Ottawa Redblacks. But Mitchell only watched as he wore a sleeve on his injured right knee.

Mitchell was injured with a little more than five minutes remaining in the second quarter when he was hit low by Ottawa defensive lineman Danny Mason, who received a 15-yard roughing the passer penalty. Mitchell did get up and was limping, but remained in the game for three more plays as Calgary capped the drive with a Rene Paredes 17-yard field goal to go ahead 17-0.

Mitchell went to the dressing room before Calgary’s next possession and didn’t return to action. He returned to the sidelines in the second half and watched the remainder of the game in uniform.

Mitchell was scheduled to undergo medical tests Friday, but was optimistic he didn’t suffer any serious damage in his knee. He also felt Mason, a former Stampeder, didn’t intentionally try to hurt him.

“I know Danny Mason, so I know he’s not trying to take shots or go after anybody,” Mitchell told reporters Friday. “When you see it on the film it doesn’t look good as far as the way he went down, but I think he’s just playing hard.” LULAY RETURNS: The B.C. Lions have a new starting quarterback. With Jonathon Jennings struggling, the Lions (1-2) have promoted veteran Travis Lulay to the No. 1 spot for Saturday’s home game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Lulay has had several major injuries in the last few years. He hurt his knee last September against Montreal before undergoing surgery.

The 34-year-old Lulay has dressed as a backup for the past two games, both of which were losses for the Lions.

Jennings is seventh in the CFL in passing this year, throwing for 487 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions.

After Lulay was hurt last year, Jennings went 1-6 as a starter.