Demski eager for hometown debut

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This article was published 29/05/2018 (2305 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Homegrown Winnipeg Blue Bombers receiver Nic Demski, an off-season free-agent addition from the Saskatchewan Roughriders, returned to the practice field Tuesday after missing five days with an undisclosed ailment.

He was happy to be back while also working with the first-team offence, as was fellow Canadian receiver Drew Wolitarsky.

Had Demski considered what the experience of suiting up for his hometown team at Investors Group Field would be like?

“Of course I’ve thought about it,” said Demski. “I’ve thought about it every day. Especially being out here (but) not running around, imagining what it would be like to run out this tunnel. If it happens, it happens. If not, I just wait for the regular season Week 1.”

Demski’s versatility is well-known, so expect him to be used as a receiver, runner and perhaps as a kick returner, too.

“Everybody knows how athletic Nic is,” said Winnipeg head coach Mike O’Shea. “He’s fast, he’s strong, he’s shifty. He’s got all of the tools. He’s proven that he can easily learn the playbook and has great command over that.

“He understands where he’s supposed to be and when he’s supposed to be there and knows how to do it. He was definitely a good signing and we knew that he would be, obviously. That’s why we signed him.”

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DEFENSIVE STOPPER: Newcomer Chandler Fenner is getting good notices for his work as the dimeback in place of Maurice Leggett, who is still rehabbing from off-season Achilles tendon surgery.

Fenner could also be a candidate to play halfback when Leggett returns.

“At the beginning, you put him in one spot to allow him to get comfortable,” said O’Shea. “Then you see how everything unfolds as time goes on. We like where he’s playing right now and he likes it. He’s flying around. He’s everywhere on the field.”

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NOTEWORTHY: Offensive lineman Jermarcus Hardrick and D-lineman Craig Roh were not practising Tuesday while veteran lineman Trent Corney was back for the first time since the opening day of training camp.

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @sawa14