B.C. Lions: Seven McGee goes on six-game IR, testing receiver depth

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One week into their game schedule and the B.C. Lions are having to rejig Nathan Rourke’s receiving corps.

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Pass catchers Seven McGee (foot) and Jevon Cottoy (thigh) had to come out of Saturday’s 31-27 season-opening road loss to the Saskatchewan Roughrider and on Tuesday the Lions put McGee on the six-game injured list. McGee was hurt running back the kickoff after Saskatchewan scored a touchdown on the game’s first series.

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The Lions finished the contest with backup fullback Jacob Bond lined up at receiver. The final play was a Rourke incomplete to Bond at the Saskatchewan 21-yard line.

The Roughriders had taken the lead on a Samuel Emilus 12-yard touchdown catch with 42 seconds remaining.

B.C. (0-1-0) is at the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (1-1-0) on Friday (4:30 p.m.) as part of the CFL season moving forward. The Lions host the Edmonton Elks at the Apple Bowl July 4 in the first of two Touchdown Kelowna games brought about by B.C. Place hosting the World Cup.

McGee, Cottoy and fellow receiver Stanley Berryhill (thigh) all sat out Lions practice on Tuesday. There’s no word yet on Cottoy or Berryhill for the Hamilton game, although Cottoy would certainly appear to be doubtful for the contest after leaving the Saskatchewan game.

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B.C. had put Nate DeMontagnac (shoulder), who was their first-round draft pick (No. 7 overall) in April, on the six-game injured list earlier in the week. The former University of North Dakota wideout was hurt in the pre-season.

The Lions re-signed receiver Jermaine Jackson to the practice roster on Tuesday. He had been released May 30 as part of the Lions cutting down to the roster maximum. Jackson appeared in four regular season games last year with the club.

“It’s opportunities,” B.C. coach Buck Pierce told the media after practice Tuesday about having to change up the receiving corps. “Opportunities for guys to step up, opportunities for guys that you know have been here working, guys that are on a roster that deserve opportunities.

“It’s no different than any other team. Everybody deals with it at some point. Adversity is part of our game, and we’re excited to see some of these guys play.”

Pierce said that the lineup moves would not affect B.C.’s play calling against Hamilton.

Rourke connected with seven receivers on Saturday. He threw for over 300 yards for the fourth straight regular season game and the sixth in his past seven dating back to last year, finishing with 330 yards on 24-of-37 attempts.

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He didn’t throw a touchdown pass. He also wasn’t intercepted. It was first regular season game in 11 that he didn’t record touchdown pass.

Rourke did score a major along the ground as part of running for 59 yards on five carries.

“I think you continue putting the guys in the right positions to do what they do well,” Pierce said of drawing up plans to face Hamilton. “We spend a lot of time with these guys. We see what they do daily. So we’re excited to use their skill sets.”

McGee was also slated to be B.C.’s key return man this season. That role could now fall to Jackson, who returned seven kickoffs for 146 yards and 10 punts for 83 yards in that quartet of games with the Lions last season. He also caught nine passes for 61 yards in that stint.

Berryhill took over return duties versus the Roughriders and brought back two punts 17 yards and three kicks 63 yards. He also had three receptions for 46 yards.

SEwen@postmedia.com

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