The first-place Winnipeg Blue Bombers returned to practice yesterday with some good news on the injury front.
Defensive end Gavin Walls, defensive back Anthony Malbrough, linebacker Neil McKinlay and slotback Chris Brazzell, who either missed or left Thursday's game in Montreal, should be healthy enough to play Friday when the Bombers (2-1-1) host the winless Hamilton Tiger-Cats, head coach Doug Berry said .
Receiver Terrence Edwards watched yesterday's workout and is day-to-day with turf toe, while two other players could be back in the next couple of weeks.
"(Brian) Guebert's coming along good, (Obby) Khan's going to be coming along shortly," Berry said. "We're in pretty good shape."
Defensive Back Davin Bush (groin) won't play this week, nor will cornerback Robert Bean (knee) and long snapper Chris Cvetkovic (elbow).
NAUGHTY, NAUGHTY: Berry has officially asked the CFL to review Montreal linebacker Diamond Ferri's pile-drive tackle on Charles Roberts.
"I just have an obligation to our players, for their safety, to report it and get the thing evaluated," Berry said. "I'm not demanding one thing or another."
NEW KID IN TOWN: The Bombers have brought in 6-foot-5, 300-pound defensive tackle Jabari Issa.
The 29-year-old import had 22 tackles in 19 games for the Edmonton Eskimos over the past three seasons, but was a training camp casualty this year.
The move was made because the Bombers need depth on the defensive line behind Jerome Haywood after cutting Nate Davis last week.
HEAT WAVE: Berry said he will monitor the heat this week and how it affects his players during practice.
The mercury is supposed to hit 34 C today and 37 C tomorrow. The humidex was 40 when practice wrapped yesterday.
"We'll feel it out, but the plan would be to just keep going," he said. "We're off the field by 1:30. If we were going late in the day it would be worse."
LATE HITS: As of 1 p.m. yesterday, the Bombers had sold 21,252 tickets for Friday's game. The club is hoping for its third straight sellout ... The Bombers practise today from 11:10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
