Messam, Hughes earn weekly CFL honours

CALGARY Jerome Messam’s first shout-out was to the guys who really make his job possible — the teammates who helped him earn a Canadian Football League playerof-the-week nod.

The Stampeders running back recorded his first 100-yard rushing game of the season, with 28 carries for 135 yards, a touchdown and one reception, and was named top player of the week. Teammate Charleston Hughes was named the No. 3 player of the week, while Edmonton Eskimos quarterback Mike Reilly took the No. 2 honour.

“My offensive lineman … those guys don’t get enough credit,” Messam said on Wednesday. “The offensive line is the heart of any team, so for a running back to do well, it says how well they’re doing.

“They did a great job, and it just makes my job easy by opening holes for me.”

Messam leads the CFL through five weeks of action with 323 rushing yards, as the Stampeders have compiled a 3-1-1 record.

“I know our team is a passheavy team, so when my number is called, I have to be ready to produce,” Messam said.

“I think we’re really balanced. The first few games, I was off to a slow start, but I think that was just the play-calling, and we were throwing the ball a lot.”

As for Hughes, he returned after missing two games with a leg injury to record three sacks and three tackles against the Saskatchewan Roughriders in a 27-10 win last Saturday.

“It was a good game,” said the veteran defensive end. “I had a nice struggle for a few weeks, but now I’m back on the field and running around and feeling pretty good. To have a three-sack game is very rewarding.”

It was the first time this season that any Stampeders have received player-of-the-week recognition.

BELL QUESTIONABLE

All signs point to safety Josh Bell being absent on Saturday when the Hamilton Tiger-Cats visit McMahon Stadium due to lingering knee issues.

“We’re probably going to lose him for a bit, but we haven’t decided how long, whether we’re going to give him a little cleanup or not,” Dickenson said.

“He’s had arthritic knees, so it’s a matter of whether you feel he can get through it, but ultimately, we need to give him some time off.”

Defensive backs Shaquille Richardson, Jamar Wall and Tunde Adeleke can all fill in for Bell.

It also looks like cornerback Brandon Smith will return this weekend.