Losing Nichols would be devastating for Bombers
It’s the nightmare scenario for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Starting quarterback and 2017 most outstanding player Matt Nichols was injured in practice on Wednesday, two days before the team’s final CFL pre-season game.
The nature and severity of the injury weren’t immediately known, but if Nichols misses any significant time, it could be devastating to a Blue Bombers team that has all the pieces to be a Grey Cup contender, but needs a healthy No. 1 quarterback.
The backup plan — inexperienced pivots Alex Ross, Chris Streveler and Bryan Bennett — is simply too flimsy at this point.
Nichols went down while backpedalling on a passing play. He was untouched as he fell onto his back. He lay there for a moment, then took off his helmet and threw it in anger.
He got up to one knee for a few moments before a couple of trainers helped him off the field and into the locker-room.
Nichols was moving gingerly with the help of the trainers, but was at least putting some pressure on both of his legs.
Bombers coach Mike O’Shea said Nichols wasn’t going to travel to B.C. regardless.
“At some point today, he’ll see the doctor and we’ll get good information, and make decisions from there,” O’Shea said Wednesday.
“It’s way too early to comment on it.”
It’s expected Ross and Streveler will get most of the reps when the Bombers play in Vancouver on Friday night against the B.C. Lions. Bennett could see action, as well.
The Bombers thought they had an experienced backup when they signed veteran Darian Durant in the off-season, but he retired just before training camp.
Nichols had his best season as a pro in 2017, leading the Bombers to a 12-6 record while throwing 28 touchdown passes and only eight interceptions.
He was hurt near the end of last season, suffering a strained calf and a broken finger on his throwing hand, but missed minimal time.
There was speculation he may have suffered a recurrence of the calf injury on Wednesday, though observers reported seeing him grab his knee immediately after falling.
While they had to continue with practice, it couldn’t have been easy for the Bombers to see their quarterback and unquestioned leader being helped off the field.
“I think, most importantly, you look at him as a friend and you feel bad for him,” veteran receiver Weston Dressler said. “It’s not even about the team at that point. It’s a personal matter more than anything.”
Running back Andrew Harris said all the Bombers can do now is rally around their teammate.
“When anyone goes down, no matter who it is, it’s tough to go through that and you worry about your teammate, your brother,” Harris said.
“It’s tough, but this is a team game, and no matter what comes out of it, we’ve got to support each other. Next man up.”