Andrew Harris not practicing for Bombers, may miss Week 1 against Ticats

Photo courtesy: Scott Grant/CFLPhotoArchive.com

It’s looking like star running back Andrew Harris might not be ready for Winnipeg’s season-opening game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, according to Postmedia’s Ted Wyman.

#Bombers are on the field for first Week 1 practice, readying for Thursday #CFL opener vs. Hamilton. No Andrew Harris or Darvin Adams practising. Looks like Brady Oliveira (RB) and ArDarius Stewart (Rec) are coming into the starting lineup.

Great opportunity here for Winnipegger Oliveira. Looking like he’ll start at RB for #Bombers in Week 1. One Oak Park grad replacing another as Andrew Harris continues to sit out of practices. #CFL

Harris left the field early in training camp, which led head coach Mike O’Shea to say he would “take it easy for the next couple weeks.” It’s now been 20 days since Harris originally stopped participating fully in practice, leading to concern that he won’t play in Week 1.

The reigning Grey Cup MVP has not missed a game due to injury over the past three seasons despite a heavy workload in Winnipeg. He missed two games in 2019 after testing positive for a trace amount of a performance-enhancing substance.

The 34-year-old recorded 225 carries for 1,380 yards and four touchdowns in 2019, becoming the CFL’s all-time leading rusher among Canadian players. He will enter the 2021 season 962 yards shy of 10,000 in his career, a milestone that has only been reached by five players in league history.