Star running back Harris eager for season debut as Blue Bombers host Stampeders
It's better late than never for Andrew Harris.
The star running back for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2-1) will make his season debut Sunday at home against the Calgary Stampeders (1-2) after missing the first three games of the year with a calf injury.
Harris was hurt early in training camp and said the wait was "agonizing," especially since last season was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"When COVID comes and you have a slow start to camp and you miss some games, time just ticks on very slowly," Harris, 34, said Saturday after the Bombers wrapped up their preparations.
"I'm very excited just to get out there, take that first carry, catch that first ball, make that first block and just be out there with the guys again."
He doesn't think it'll take him long to get into a groove.
"The biggest thing now is just my eyes, my vision," Harris said. "You know it's going to be a whole different speed come (Sunday), so it's going to take maybe a couple series, honestly, to kind of get in the swing of things.
"But I'm definitely ready for that and expecting that and I'm sure I'll be hitting full stride fairly shortly after we get rolling."
Getting back the CFL's rushing leader for the past three seasons -- and the most valuable player in the 2019 Grey Cup -- was welcome news for Harris's teammates, especially quarterback Zach Collaros.
"Having Andrew back out there, it's big for everybody," Collaros said. "I think it's big for the city.
"Everybody knows and loves Andrew and what he can bring to the table, and just his understanding of what we do offensively definitely helps."
Winnipeg's run game has stalled lately. Fellow Winnipegger Brady Oliviera rushed for 126 yards in his first start at tailback in the season opener, but he was held to a combined 57 yards in the past two games against Toronto, including last week's 30-23 loss to the Argonauts.
The Bombers have also moved placekicker Tyler Crapigna to the six-game injured list so Canadian rookie Marc Liegghio handle kicking and punting duties Sunday.
Head coach Mike O'Shea said Crapigna suffered a soft tissue injury (listed as a hamstring) in practice and missed Friday's session.
Crapigna was 3-of-5 in field-goal attempts -- the longest he made was 22 yards -- but he wasn't sent out to try many long kicks.
O'Shea said Liegghio had success with Western University and he has "full confidence" in the fifth-round CFL draft pick.
Stampeders rookie quarterback Jake Maier will make his second CFL start Sunday after replacing injured veteran Bo Levi Mitchell (broken leg).
Maier shook off two early interceptions last week and guided the Stampeders out of an 11-point deficit to a 28-22 win over Montreal. He was 16-of-29 passing for 304 yards with the two picks and one touchdown.
"You have to be able to analyze why certain things didn't go your way, why certain plays didn't work, why you failed in certain areas and grow from that," the 24-year-old California native said.
Calgary head coach Dave Dickenson said quarterbacks have to be free to make some plays, but he'd like the offence to improve in one particular area.
"Ball security, 100 per cent," he said. "We also snapped one on the wrong count and we just can't do that against Winnipeg, we won't win the game."
Maier is well aware that Winnipeg's dominant defence will try to throw him off the game plan.
"They have the true identity of rushing the passer and they believe in what they're doing," he said. "You can see that just with the body language and the swagger that they all have.
"There's things that we can do to help slow that down a little bit. We're going to need to. We've got to be able to at least limit what their greatest strength is."
The Bombers lead the league in fewest points allowed this season at 14.3.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 28, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.