Winnipeg Blue Bombers starting to get healthy as Ryan Smith returns to face ex-team

WINNIPEG – There were a few new faces as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers returned to the practice field on Wednesday to prepare for Saturday’s rematch with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the annual Banjo Bowl.

After dealing with a whole wack of injuries in the first half of the season, some players are starting to get healthy again. Receiver Ryan Smith, defensive backs Chris Randle and Terrence Frederick, and safety Macho Harris were all taking part in practice.

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Smith actually returned to practice last week but didn’t play against the Riders. But he will be back in the lineup on Saturday to face his ex-team after missing the past six games with a lower body injury.

“I’ll be back this week and feel a hundred percent healthy so it’s good to be on the field again,” said Smith.

Share this on X Click to share quote on X: "I'll be back this week and feel a hundred percent healthy so it's good to be on the field again," said Smith.

“Pretty grateful to be back playing football again. Been out for six weeks now and I missed it and just to be back especially against Saskatchewan. It’s a big time game for me, a big time game for this team.”

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Smith had 19 receptions for 186 yards and a touchdown in the first four games before getting injured. The return of Smith is expected to leave Clarence Denmark as the odd man.

Randle and Harris have both been out of the lineup since they were injured on July 21 in the Bombers’ loss to the Calgary Stampeders.

“They looked good today,” said head coach Mike O’Shea. “Flying around, continuing with that leadership roll that they had even when they were down. Those guys can drive a practice.”

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But the Bombers didn’t completely escape Saskatchewan unscathed as defensive back C.J. Roberts is now hurt. He’ll be unavailable to face the Riders in the rematch but Frederick or Randle could be options to start in Robert’s place at cornerback.

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