Lewis likely out for Stamps’ finale
Drew Tate will be starting at quarterback for the Calgary Stampeders on Friday night at Commonwealth Stadium, but he likely won’t have the team’s most prolific receiving weapon at his disposal.
Slotback Nik Lewis, who leads the Canadian Football League in receptions with 100, missed his second day of practice on Tuesday with various aches and pains, notably in his back, and Stamps coach and GM John Hufnagel said after practice that Lewis is highly doubtful for his team’s regular-season finale in Edmonton.
“He’s been fighting this thing for a while and we’d like, if we can, to give him some extra time to get ready to play in the playoffs,” said Hufnagel.
As usual, the Stamps have a couple other injury issues to deal with: defensive back Quincy Butler is sick and missed practice on Tuesday, while his replacement, Derrius Brooks, pulled up lame toward the end of practice.
On the other hand, linebacker/defensive back Chris Randle was taking reps on Tuesday and should be good to go on Friday after missing the past three games with a knee issue. He’ll likely dress as an extra defensive back, while Keon Raymond remains in the coverage linebacker spot.
With Lewis out of action, Joe West should draw back into the lineup after missing four games with an ankle injury. As well, look for Chris Bauman to dress for his first game since Aug. 25, taking the place of Anthony Parker on the game-time roster.
TATE FIRED UP FOR RETURN
Tate, as you might expect, is getting jacked about the prospect of starting his first game since the July 7 tilt in Toronto in which he dislocated his left shoulder.
“It feels a little different, now that more is on my plate,” said Tate, who shared reps with Kevin Glenn last Friday against B.C., going 5-for-7 for 68 yards, a touchdown and an interception. “I have more responsibility and I’ll be able to get into a bit more rhythm instead of switching every two drives like we did. I think it’s probably better for both of us. I’m definitely excited about it. Here’s an opportunity for me to come back out and start a game for the first time in a while. Hopefully I’ll get the job done.”
Hufnagel said Glenn would handle the second half, with the possibility of Bo Levi Mitchell also getting some time.
Once the Stamps return from Edmonton, Hufnagel and offensive coordinator Dave Dickenson will ponder who gets the start for the West semifinal on Nov. 11, with the decision to be unveiled on Tuesday.
STEWART TOP
DEFENDER
Defensive end Anwar Stewart’s franchise record-matching four-sack outing last Friday against B.C., to no one’s surprise, earned him a Gibson’s Finest Defensive Player of the Week award on Wednesday.
“You know what? It’s not my goal to win the individual accolades,” said Stewart. “My goal is to come here and help the D-line get after the quarterback, and that’s one of the things we did on Friday night.”