It appears as though the Winnipeg Blue Bombers will not be without receiver Darvin Adams for long.
“I expect he’ll miss a fairly short period of time and will be back,” said O’Shea in a videoconference. “I don’t expect this to be a long-term thing.”
The head coach would not rule Adams out for Winnipeg’s season-opener against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on August 5 at IG Field, though he acknowledged that he always approaches injuries with optimism.
“I always think they’re going to be ready to go today,” said O’Shea with a chuckle. “I’m sure he’ll be fine.”
Adams landed awkwardly after making a catch in Tuesday’s practice. The on-field session was held late due to poor air conditions caused by local forest fires in Manitoba.
One of the top candidates to replace Adams in the starting lineup is former NFL receiver Cam Meredith, though O’Shea is pleased with how the receivers have been performing overall in camp.
“I do think we’ve got a real talented group out there practicing. All the guys that are returning that we have a lot of information on are really good and I think they’ve gotten better. I think they understand the playbook for another year and a bunch of Zoom meetings and for the most part they’re in pretty good shape,” said O’Shea.
“It’s exciting. I know [offensive coordinator Buck Pierce] is excited with the group we have and some of the new guys we brought in are certainly showing off their various talents.”
The 31-year-old joined the Blue Bombers as a free agent in 2015 following a two-year stint with the Toronto Argonauts. He has recorded 296 receptions for 4,226 yards and 34 touchdowns in 69 games with Winnipeg and was named a West Division all-star in 2017 and 2018.
The six-foot-two, 201-pound receiver made eight receptions for 209 yards and one touchdown in the club’s 2019 playoff run en route to a Grey Cup victory.
Adams is signed with the Bombers through 2022.
