The Canadian Press
WINNIPEG — It appears that the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are taking every precaution necessary with injured starting quarterback Matt Nichols.
Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea said on his exclusive CJOB show late Monday night that Nichols is not likely to play when the team takes on the Calgary Stampeders in the Week 20 regular season finale.
Nichols exited Saturday’s loss to BC with what appeared to be a leg injury on a non-contact play.
“I would imagine we’re going to hold him out of this one,” O’Shea told CJOB. “We’ve got one more game to play, but we’re in the playoffs and we’d like Matt back for that.
“Whether he can be ready or not, we’re going to make sure we make a good decision.”
Matt Nichols exited the Bombers’ loss to BC Saturday with an apparent leg injury (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
O’Shea would not announce who will start at quarterback, with Dan LeFevour and Dominique Davis both ready to go if called upon.
While Nichols hopes to be ready for the team’s Western Semi-Final on Nov. 12, opponent and location to be determined, the news could be a little better for Andrew Harris. The Bombers’ veteran running back left the game after taking a hard hit from Lions defensive back T.J. Lee, but has said he should be ready to go this week.
The Bombers continue to improve every year under O’Shea and General Manager Kyle Walters, but are now 11-5 after dropping their second straight contest. Without their pivot, and with a tough matchup against Calgary on tap, they risk missing out on their first home playoff game since 2011 as the Eskimos continue to threaten.
An Edmonton win and a Winnipeg loss means Edmonton gets the home playoff date and the Bombers fall to third in the division.
The injuries add to the long list the Bombers have suffered so far late in the season including Darvin Adams, Timothy Flanders, Travis Bond, Jaamal Westerman and Maurice Leggett.
– With files from Ed Tait and BlueBombers.com
