Apparent fracture sidelines Blue Bombers’ Kenny Lawler

 

 

 

It appears the Blue Bombers lost more than a season-opening football game on Thursday.

Star receiver Kenny Lawler reportedly suffered a fractured arm against Montreal and is likely to be placed on the six-game injury list.

 

Lawler took a hit following a catch in the second quarter, immediately hitting the sidelines for attention from the medical staff.

 

It wasn’t long before he was taken off the field for further examination, leaving the game with three catches for 26 yards.

 

The Winnipeg offence continued to struggle without him in a 27-12 loss to the defending Grey Cup champions.

 

Teammates didn’t sound optimistic post-game.

 

“Kenny is one of the best players in the league, if not the best player in the league,” quarterback Zach Collaros said. “It’s tough. I thought the young guys did a good job of stepping in and filling that role. You’re never going to really fill that void that is Kenny Lawler. I’m just really disappointed for him coming out of the game. He’s one of the most competitive people I’ve been around, so that’s what makes it tough.”

 

It’s not Lawler’s first bout with adversity.

 

Last season, he was suspended for the first six games due to an immigration issue stemming from his impaired driving conviction.

 

The 29-year-old Californian recorded 50 catches, some of them acrobatic, for 901 yards and six touchdowns anyway.

 

He had set his goals high going into this season.

 

“2-K and 23 touchdowns,” Lawler told the Sun in training camp. “I’m a competitor. I believe I’m the No. 1 receiver in this league. Yeah, that’s the goal. If you want to be the best, you’ve got to know what’s ahead of you.”

 

Instead of chasing 2,000 yards and Milt Stegall’s CFL record for touchdowns by a receiver, it appears Lawler will once again be forced to see what he can do in fewer games.