Andrew Harris misses practice Tuesday due to lingering knee injury

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers were without star running back Andrew Harris on Tuesday morning when they returned to practice coming off their bye week.

The six-time all-star suffered a knee injury during the club’s Week 11 victory over the Edmonton Elks. He missed the Blue Bombers’ 45-0 win over the B.C. Lions the following week with fellow Winnipeg native Brady Oliveira starting in his place.

Harris has recorded 116 carries this season for 623 yards and three touchdowns while also making 11 receptions for 116 yards and one score. He remains the CFL’s fifth-leading rusher despite dressing for just seven games and is tied for second in yards-per-carry among running backs with 50 or more carries.

Oliveira ran for 105 yards against Edmonton after Harris was injured and carried the ball 17 times for 65 yards and a touchdown against the Lions. Guelph product Johnny Augustine also had a big game, carrying the ball four times for 73 yards.

Winnipeg has already clinched first place in the West Division at 10-1 with three regular season games left to be played. Head coach Mike O’Shea told the media on Tuesday that the team has discussed their plan to potentially resting players down the stretch but declined to share any of its details.

Special teams demon Mike Miller (hip) and right tackle Jermarcus Hardrick (hip) also missed practice on Tuesday, while defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat (hip) and halfback Deatrick Nichols (ankle) were limited participants.

The Blue Bombers host the Montreal Alouettes (6-5) on Saturday at IG Field where they’ll look to extend their winning streak to nine games.