Blue Bombers sign junior receiver as injuries pile up
WINNIPEG — He may sit on the bench, but the Winnipeg Blue Bombers have signed a 20-year-old junior football receiver for their game Friday night against the Toronto Argonauts.
It’s a Cinderella story for Brett Carter, but also a sign of how banged up the Winnipeg receiving corps is right now.
“I can’t put it into words,” a grinning Carter said. “It’s unreal. I’m so thankful for the opportunity.”
And Bombers coach Tim Burke says Carter should be ready for anything.
“He might get his chance to get out there and play in a CFL game,” he said.
Carter will back up slotback Jade Etienne while Rory Kohlert will move from that spot to fill Cory Watson’s position. Watson is expected to be gone two to four weeks with a hamstring injury.
“I think Rory Kohlert will do a great job running routes,” Burke said. “We’ll have to find a different way to block … but we’ll be fine.”
Argos coach Scott Milanovich isn’t concerned about Winnipeg’s woes.
“I’ve got my own problems,” he said. “This really is a new team.”
The Argos will be trying out a new receiver as well Friday in John Chiles.
“We’re excited to see what he can do,” Milanovich said.
There’s a lot on the line for both Winnipeg and Toronto as all four teams in the East Division head into action with underwhelming 1-2 records.
“Would we like to be 3-0, yeah,” Argos receiver and kick-returner Chad Owens said. “But we’re just going to continue to work. It’s a very long season.”
Quarterback Ricky Ray said the Argos can certainly help themselves with a win, but added that won’t be easy against a Winnipeg defence that’s recorded a league-leading 18 sacks.
“You watch film and they can get after the quarterback,” he said.
Carter attended Winnipeg’s training camp and appeared in both exhibition games before being released. He continued practising with the Bombers as a territorial exemption and was expecting to do so until the start of the Winnipeg Rifles’ junior season next month before signing with the CFL club.
The Bombers have been impressed with his enthusiasm and ability.
“What a great moment for him and I’m excited,” quarterback Buck Pierce said. “We’re proud of him and we know that he can play.”
Pierce says he’s excited at the prospect of facing Toronto’s defence. The unit has struggled — allowing 32 points and 162 rushing yards per game, both league highs — but Pierce is expecting an aggressive game plan from Argos defensive co-ordinator Chris Jones.
“(Jones) wants to go out there and brawl,” he said. “My mentality coming into this game is it’s going to be a fight.”