OTTAWA — An early rash of injuries, including a broken finger to star quarterback Henry Burris, has not been a problem so far for the Ottawa Redblacks.
The Redblacks will look to improve to 3-0 Friday night as they host the Calgary Stampeders (1-1) in its sold-out home opener at TD Place.
Despite losing its number one quarterback and running back, the Redblacks have posted impressive road victories against Edmonton and Montreal. The Redblacks are also without receiver Jamill Smith who suffered a rib fracture.
Trevor Harris has been the driving force stepping in for the injured Burris, going 37-for-45 for a league-leading 687 yards and six touchdowns.
Harris is excited to take the field Friday night and is hopeful his recent success has been enough to turn the Redblacks faithful in his favour, seeing as they enjoyed booing him last season as a member of the Toronto Argonauts.
"It’s going to be a little bit more comfortable," he said. "Instead of walking out and having people boo me and tell me I stink at football, it’s going to be a little bit better this time, I hope."
The 30-year-old Harris made his first start of the season last week and led the Redblacks to a 28-13 win over Montreal, but he knows the Stampeders will offer a solid challenge.
"It’s about re-starting the engine in terms of this week," said Harris. "We have a different game plan and (Calgary’s) defence poses a brand new set of challenges for us and as a unit they’re a very strong defence and they’re not getting a lot of attention across the league and they probably like that, but they have our attention."
With running back Travon Van being added to the six-game injured list following the game in Montreal the Redblacks signed Nicolas Grigsby earlier this week. The 27-year-old will make his Ottawa debut Friday night.
Grigsby has spent time playing in Winnipeg, Hamilton and Edmonton, but had been home working at his Kia dealership in Cape Coral, Fla., when he got the call from Redblacks general manager Marcel Desjardins.
"I’ve had different teams call, I’ve had opportunities, but I’m in a good state where I am back at home," said Grigsby. "I didn’t need money. This here came along and it was an opportunity.
"I talked to my family about it and it was a good opportunity for me so it’s going to be fun."
Despite only joining the team a few days ago Redblacks head coach Rick Campbell favoured Grigsby over Mossis Madu Jr. to start at running back.
"They both did a great job, they’ve both been pressed into learning the offence quickly, but Nic we just feel that he gives us the best chance," said Campbell. "He did a great job of preparing all week and he’s been a guy that’s been around and done it before and knows what it takes to perform and win in this league and we just felt that was the best option for this week."
Notes: The Redblacks made the following roster changes for Friday’s game as Grigsby, KR Tristan Jackson, DT Matt Acree, REC Scott Macdonell and DB Brandon Sermons were all added.
