BREAKING: Blue Bombers to put standout receiver on six-game injured list
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ injury woes continue with receivers Dalton Schoen and Keric Wheatfall joining the list of sidelined players.
Head coach Mike O’Shea confirmed on Monday that Schoen will be placed on the six-game injured list following an injury sustained during the Bombers’ narrow 26-24 loss to the B.C. Lions on Friday night. Wheatfall was also injured in the same game, both players suffering knee injuries.
Although O’Shea did not definitively place Wheatfall on the six-game injured list, he indicated that Wheatfall would be out for a significant period. “Yeah, he’ll probably be a little while too,” O’Shea stated. “I don’t know how long that’s going to be. It’s not short.”
The Bombers (0-3) are already grappling with the absence of eight players on the six-game injured list, including star receiver Kenny Lawler. Schoen’s injury adds to the challenges for the struggling team.
This season, Schoen has recorded 14 catches for 159 yards. Despite making five receptions for 54 yards against B.C., he was seen on crutches post-game. Schoen’s absence is a significant blow, considering his impressive performances in previous seasons. He had 70 catches for 1,441 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2022, earning the CFL’s top rookie award, and followed up with 71 receptions for 1,222 yards and 10 touchdowns last season.
Wheatfall, in his first season with Winnipeg, was active against B.C. but did not make any catches. The six-foot-two, 192-pound receiver had previously recorded three receptions for 111 yards in the Bombers’ 23-19 loss to Ottawa on June 13.
With an 0-3 start to the season, their first since 2012, the Blue Bombers face a challenging road ahead. They will visit the Calgary Stampeders (1-1) on Saturday night, hoping to turn their season around despite the mounting injuries.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on June 24, 2024.