Injuries hit Bombers hard

Swaggerville has become Injuryville.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who lead the Canadian Football League with an 8-4 record and proudly boasted about their swagger after starting out with a 7-1 record, have lost their top two running backs with season-ending injuries.

It happened in last Saturday's 25-24 loss to Toronto. The Bombers lost seven players in all with injuries in the game: starting quarterback Buck Pierce, backup quarterback Alex Brink, feature running back Fred Reid and his backup Carl Volny, defensive tackle Doug Brown, offensive lineman Brendan LaBatte and defensive linemen Rodney Fritz.

The Bombers announced on Monday that Reid and Volny are done for the season with torn knee ligaments.

"Losing both of our talented running backs is never an easy thing," said vice-president/general manager Joe Mack in a media release. "Unfortunately injuries are part of the game and we have to move on and look ahead at our other options. We wish both Fred and Carl the best in their recoveries."

No mention was made of the other injured players.

The Bombers play host to Montreal, who are only two points back of them in second place, on Friday.

Pierce re-injured ribs during the game and his status for Friday is uncertain. Brink suffered an injury to his non-throwing shoulder.

The Bombers were forced to play their third-string quarterback, Justin Goltz, after the injuries to their top two against Toronto. Goltz hadn't thrown a pass this season, let alone take any meaningful reps in practice. But he managed to throw a touchdown pass in three of six completions. Because the Bombers lost Reid and Volny earlier in the game, Goltz was operating with a six-pack of receivers at times.

Speculation has already begun the Bombers may try to make a trade with another team, possibly to Calgary for Joffrey Reynolds, who was a healthy scratch against Hamilton on Sunday, or to Saskatchewan for Hugh Charles. There are also some available free-agent backs with CFL experience: Arkee Whitlock and Daniel Porter, both cut this season by Edmonton after playing parts of the last two years, and onetime Argo/Rider Dominique Dorsey.

The Bombers ran into injury issues last year, beginning with Pierce, who played only five games, and then backups Steven Jyles and Brink. Coincidentally, Jyles and Brink were injured in a game against Toronto. Jyles is now with Toronto following an off-season trade and started in last Saturday's game.

The Bombers' injuries this year are far more impactful because barring something amazing - like some more injuries - they will make the playoffs. Last year they were out of the playoff picture when the injuries happened and finished last in the league with a 4-14 record.

Perry Lefko keeps you connected to all the news in the CFL on Sportsnet.ca.