The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are making a switch at running back this week, replacing veteran James Butler with rookie Greg Bell.
Butler has recorded 92 carries for 440 yards and one touchdown over eight games this season along with 37 catches for 312 yards and one score. He missed only one game due to injury earlier this season on June 30 with Bell getting the start in a 24-22 loss to the Ottawa Redblacks.
Head coach Scott Milanovich indicated on Friday that Butler is “banged up,” though he did not appear on the team’s injury report this week.
Bell ran 13 times for 52 yards and caught seven passes for 40 yards in his lone start this season. The 26-year-old ran for 1,728 yards and 15 touchdowns over two seasons at San Diego State University following stints at the University of Nebraska and Arizona Western Community College.
Running back isn’t the only position Hamilton is switching up as Taylor Powell will make his first start of the season ahead of Bo Levi Mitchell. Powell threw for 319 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions in a relief performance against the Montreal Alouettes last week, replacing Mitchell after he threw an early interception to Darnell Sankey.
The Tiger-Cats are starting to get healthy in the secondary, however, as James Peters and Stavros Katsantonis have returned to the starting lineup. Peters missed last week’s loss due to a thigh injury, while Katsantonis has missed four straight with a leg issue.
Jordan Murray will start at left tackle in place of the injured Joel Figueroa with Quinton Barrow slotting in at right tackle. Star receiver Tim White will also handle the return duties as Davon ‘Smoke’ Harris has been moved to the six-game injured list with a foot injury.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2-7) will host the Edmonton Elks (2-7) on Saturday, Aug. 17 with kickoff slated for 7:00 p.m. EDT.
