BY ARASH MADANI
sportsnet.ca
Fearing for the worst case scenario after veteran Canadian linebacker Kevin Eiben went in for an MRI on his pectoral muscle Saturday, the Toronto Argonauts signed Chris Smith off the B.C. Lions practice roster on Sunday, sportsnet.ca has learned.
Per league policy, Smith would have to be active for Toronto when they take on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats Saturday.
Eiben, who has seen a decrease in action in Chip Garber's defence this season, hurt his chest in Thursday's 36-23 home loss to Montreal. There was concern immediately after the defeat that the 31-year-old would be lost for the remainder of the season. The Argonauts are expected to receive the MRI results on Monday.
Eiben won the 2004 Grey Cup with Orlondo Steinauer, now the Argos defensive coordinator. Steinauer took over after head coach Jim Barker fired Garber following Montreal's 521-yard offensive performance against Toronto.
In the interim, Toronto found a young, non-import linebacker who has already become somewhat of a journeyman.
Smith was taken 28th overall in the 2010 CFL draft by Winnipeg, and played 15 games for the Blue Bombers last year. The 23-year-old Queen's University product has been on the Lions practice squad since July..
The Argonauts return to the practice field Tuesday.
