Rookie QB Crompton could start against Als
Reilly receives medical clearance but not guaranteed to play
The Edmonton Eskimos have a heavy decision to make, if they haven’t already made up their minds.
Quarterback Mike Reilly has been medically cleared to play Saturday’s CFL game against the Montreal Alouettes, a week after he sustained a concussion playing against the Toronto Argonauts.
As the 1:30 p.m. kickoff approaches at Commonwealth Stadium, the Eskimos are saying Reilly’s status has not yet been determined.
“Reilly passed standardized and mandated return-to-play protocol as set out by the Canadian Football League,” a statement on the Eskimos’ website said, noting that the protocol includes but is not limited to graded exertion, neuropsychological testing and medical clearance.
Reilly was heavily involved in Wednesday’s and Thursday’s practices and was present at Friday morning’s walk-through session, but did not participate. He went from the field to “an appointment,” the team said, where he was given medical clearance.
Reilly was not available to the media.
When the Eskimos’ depth chart was released on Friday, rookie Jonathan Crompton was listed as the starting quarterback. Reilly was the backup and Kerry Joseph, who turned 40 on Friday, was the third-stringer.
Joseph hurriedly dressed and left the locker-room after practice, declining interviews, but stopped outside for a quick word. He said he couldn’t answer questions on where the chips would fall on Saturday. “We’re not sure (who’s playing),” he said. “That’s why I can’t give you an answer.”
Eskimos head coach Kavis Reed said if Reilly didn’t play, Crompton would get the start. Joseph played against Toronto after Reilly was injured in the second quarter last week. The Eskimos blew a 22-1 third-quarter lead, falling 34-22 to the Argos.
“This week, knowing the situation where we can prep, we have an opportunity knowing that Jonathan has a longer future here than Kerry does, to prepare Jonathan to play safely and play effectively in the football game,” Reed said, noting Crompton took half of the reps in Tuesday’s practice, when Reilly sat out. He got a third of the reps on Wednesday and Thursday.
Asked if Reilly would play if he received medical clearance, Reed said no. “Not yet decided,” he said.
Crompton, who played his college ball at the University of Tennessee, would get his first career pro start if he plays against the Alouettes. He’s seen action in five games, completing 11 of 22 passes for 147 yards and one touchdown, with one interception.
He relieved Reilly briefly on July 25 at Montreal, but was overwhelmed by the Alouettes defence. He completed only one of four passes, picked up a yard of offence, and threw an interception.
The fact his father, David, made the trip to Edmonton from the family’s North Carolina home this week was just a coincidence, Crompton said.
“We planned on having him come visit for a while. It just kind of worked out,” he said. “We’ll see what happens and go from there. We’re all prepared and it’s a big game.”
With Reilly cleared to play, the Eskimos would take Friday night and maybe even Saturday morning to weigh the options of putting their freshly concussed franchise quarterback back on the field so soon. With the Eskimos having allowed 44 quarterback sacks in 13 games — the third-worst total in the CFL — there’s a lot for the organization to discuss.
“It’s obviously a part of whether or not we feel that game-plan wise, execution-wise, we can protect our quarterback,” Reed said. “That is going to be a part of this decision, if he’s cleared.” coleary@edmontonjournal.com On Twitter: @olearychris facebook.com/ edmontonjournalsports