Bombers receiver Lawler returns after breaking arm in season opener

Kenny Lawler is ready to lend a helping hand to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

The star receiver returned to practice with the team on Tuesday after breaking his right arm during the season opener on June 6 when it was struck by the helmet of a Montreal Alouettes player.

“First day we’re out there, it’s been a long, long time,” Lawler told reporters after the team returned from the first week off of the season.

“Everything I could have imagined. Man, being back out there, helmet on with the guys – it’s just an overwhelming, amazing feeling.”

He believes he will be ready when the Blue Bombers (3-6) travel to play the BC Lions (5-4) on Sunday, an opponent that could feature recently signed Canadian quarterback Nathan Rourke.

Lawler, who said during training camp that he wanted to rush for more than 2,000 yards and score 23 touchdowns in 2024, doesn’t have specific goals for the rest of the season.

“Whatever the team needs,” Lawler said of his mindset. “That’s what it is right now, whatever the team needs.

“If the play is coming my way, let’s make it. If the play isn’t coming my way, find a way to send it to the guy with the ball.”

Winnipeg head coach Mike O’Shea said it is not certain Lawler will play Sunday.

“We have to let him practice for a week and see where he goes. He hasn’t played football in a long time,” he said.

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Last season, Lawler was suspended for the first six games due to immigration issues related to a 2021 drunken driving conviction. He returned to action and hauled in 50 catches for 901 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games.

O’Shea is happy to have Lawler on the field this week, as are his teammates.

“It’s great to have him back,” Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros said. “His energy, obviously. What he brings, how explosive he is, how well he catches the football.”

Collaros was asked if he thought Rourke would be fully up to speed with the CFL game again after being away from it for a year and a half.

“It depends on whether I was drinking Miller Lites on the bench or whether I was staying in shape,” he said, then added that he was confident it was possible.

The Lions announced the signing of Rourke on Tuesday, and he is expected to be at practice on Wednesday.

The CFL’s 2022 Highest-Prominent Canadian left the Lions after that season to take a shot at the NFL, spending time with the Jacksonville Jaguars and New England Patriots.

This year, the New York Giants claimed him on waivers in May and then released him during training camp. He was signed by the Atlanta Falcons on August 1, but they released him last Sunday.

Rourke’s arrival comes at a time when the Lions are struggling.

BC is on a three-game losing streak and lost starting quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. to a knee injury during Winnipeg’s 25-0 win on August 1. He was replaced by Jake Dolegala.

The three-game season series between the Bombers and the Lions is tied at one win each.

O’Shea said it’s good for the league to have Rourke back, and he expects him to pick up all the pieces of the playbook he needs to and be on the field Sunday.

“They don’t sign him to not have him play,” O’Shea said. “He’s in the system and he knows what to do.”

Winnipeg defensive end Willie Jefferson said he’s glad Rourke is back in the CFL after experiencing a “rollercoaster” the past few months in the NFL.

He may welcome the “young, skilled” quarterback with open arms, but not in a pleasant way.

“Coming back to the CFL, coming back this week to see us, we just want to make it tough on him,” Jefferson said. “If we get a chance to get to him, get to him early, get to him a lot, put him on the ground and let him feel it and just give him those first few good hits and make them count.”

DEFENSE GETS A BOOST

Bombers defensive end Celestin Haba also returned to practice Tuesday after missing after injuring his left knee in Winnipeg’s second game of the season, a loss to the Ottawa Redblacks on June 13.

O’Shea said his status for Sunday’s game has not yet been decided.

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