Andrew Harris to make 2021 debut against Calgary Stampeders

The reigning Grey Cup MVP is set to make his 2021 debut.

Sunday’s game against Calgary will mark the return of star running back Andrew Harris to the starting lineup after the 34-year-old missed the first three games of the season with a calf injury and sat out most of training camp.

Fellow Winnipeg native Brady Oliveira has started in his place, scampering for 126 yards in his debut against Hamilton before being held in check by the Argos in back-to-back games.

Harris had not previously missed a game due to injury in his three seasons in Winnipeg despite a heavy workload. However, the Bombers’ primary ball carrier was suspended for two games in 2019 after testing positive for a trace amount of a performance-enhancing substance.

Harris made up for his last absence by powering the team to its first Grey Cup title in 29 year, becoming the first player ever to be named both Most Valuable Canadian and Most Valuable Player in the big game.

Harris entered the 2021 season with 9,038 career rushing yards, which is only 962 shy of the illustrious 10,000-yard mark.

Only five players in CFL history have ever reached 10,000 career rushing yards: Mike Pringle (16,425), George Reed (16,116), Damon Allen (11,920), Johnny Bright (10,909), and Charles Roberts (10,285). All of these players are American, meaning Harris would be the first Canadian player ever to reach 10,000 career rushing yards.

Harris must average just over 80 yards over the 12 remaining regular season games in 2021 if he wishes to hit the mark this year.