Mike O’Shea won’t rule out Andrew Harris, Darvin Adams for Week 1 against Ticats

Photo courtesy: Scott Grant/CFLPhotoArchive.com

Head coach Mike O’Shea remains hopeful that veterans Andrew Harris and Darvin Adams will be ready for Winnipeg’s season opener on Thursday night against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

“I’m very hopeful,” said O’Shea. “I look at all these guys and believe they’re working extremely hard to get back on the field. They want to be with their teammates. They want to be out there competing against their opponent. They miss being in the huddle. They all put forth an amazing amount of effort to get back on the field.

The seventh-year bench boss said that no final decision would be made until the club’s third day of practice, which will take place on Tuesday. He doesn’t mind starting a player even if he hasn’t practiced all week.

“I don’t ever rule guys out,” said O’Shea. “If they think there’s a chance, I give them that opportunity.”

O’Shea also wouldn’t commit to a decision in the kicking game with 2020 fifth-round draft pick Marc Liegghio and free agent addition Tyler Crapigna still on the roster. Liegghio was an All-Canadian kicker and punter at Western University, while Crapigna only placekicks.

“Haven’t decided yet. That’s the beauty of not announcing the rosters ’til later in the weeks. There’s still opportunities for everybody,” said O’Shea.