Going to watch for the health of Dickenson as the week goes.
Dickenson slips in practice, limps off
Canadian Press
10/29/2003
SURREY, B.C. (CP) - All-star quarterback Dave Dickenson slipped on a soggy field and limped out of the B.C. Lions' practice Wednesday on an injured left knee.
There was no official word from the Lions on the extent of the injury. Dickenson left the club's practice facility with trainer Bill Reichelt to be examined by a doctor, but returned later saying he had merely twisted the knee.
``I just threw on the run and twisted my knee a little bit,'' he said. ``I just wanted to have it looked at by the doctor.
``Hopefully we'll come to a conclusion that we will be out here ready to go.''
An injury to Dickenson, the West Division nominee for the CFL's outstanding player award, would be a serious blow to the Lions, who face the Toronto Argonauts in the East Division semifinal Sunday (CBC 4 p.m. EST) at SkyDome.
If Dickenson, the CFL's outstanding player in 2000, can't play then backup Spergon Wynn will start Sunday.
``We'll make an assessment after he sees the doctor,'' Wally Buono, B.C.'s coach and general manager said before Dickenson's return. ``From what Bill says it's nothing major.
``The thing about football is things go on. We're anticipating Dave to start. If not, then Spergon has to play.''
Dickenson lost his footing and went down on what seemed to be an innocent play. He laid on the field for several minutes before being helped to his feet.
When television crews began filming Dickenson on the field, Buono began yelling ``Turn the cameras off.''
He later lectured reporters on following his instructions or practice might be closed.
Dickenson said he had hurt the same knee during B.C.'s 26-23 loss Saturday to the Saskatchewan Roughriders, a game that relegated the Lions to fourth in the West Division standings. But Dickenson was not forced out of that contest as a result of the injury.
``I can't see it being a big problem again,'' he said.
Dickenson added he will likely have further tests done on the knee, just as a precaution.
``I'm not a doctor but I'm certainly hoping we can get on the same page and move forward,'' he said.
Dickenson, who returned to the CFL this season after bouncing between four teams during two years in the NFL, was named to the West Division all-star team Wednesday.
Soft spoken and unassuming off the field, Dickenson roars in a game. He completed 370-of-549 passes (67.4 per cent) for 5,496 yards, 36 touchdowns and just 12 interceptions in leading the Lions to an 11-7-0 record.
Wynn's lone start of the season came in a 28-26 overtime road loss to Toronto on Aug. 1 when Dickenson was out with an injury. During that game, Wynn completed 21-of-31 passes for 212 yards and no touchdowns or interceptions.<
``Toronto is the team I feel most comfortable with because that's where I've got most of my game reps,'' said the six-foot-three, 229-pound Wynn, who spent two seasons with the NFL's Minnesota Vikings. ``I got into a chance to get into a flow with Toronto and play a whole game.
``Toronto is a good team and they have good DBs. For me to go in there and feel like I played pretty effectively gives me confidence.''
Wynn took his pads off and watched the rest of practice from the sidelines while Casey Printers took over. Wynn laughed when asked if that was a precaution against injury.
``I'm a big guy and I don't want to get in there and mix it up with these big guys and have somebody go down,'' said Wynn, who completed 46-of-65 passes for 626 yards, four touchdowns and an interception this year. ``I took my pads off so I didn't hurt anybody.''
Buono said he would be confident starting Wynn against the Argos.
``We went with Spergon the last time and I thought overall he played very well,'' he said. ``The football club is made up of more than just one guy.
``We have other guys that can get the job done. The plays are all set up so it doesn't matter who the quarterback is.''
Running back Kelvin Anderson said the team would be comfortable with Wynn at the controls.
``He has to step up,'' said Anderson. ``The last time he played we could have won in Toronto.
``He's ready and we can win.''
