New B.C. Lions RB JaQuan Hardy will get first-team offence take a look at apply

Taquan (Smoke) Mizzell is banged up after final week’s loss to Winnipeg, however Lions coach Rick Campbell says the workforce wished former NFLer JaQuan Hardy to “get reps to be taught and to see the place he Is”

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May an absence of Smoke at B.C. Lions apply on Monday imply fireplace? 

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JaQuan Hardy was getting the first-team operating again repetitions instead of common No. 1 ball service Taquan (Smoke) Mizzell on the workforce’s Surrey residence base. 

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Coach Rick Campbell mentioned afterwards that Mizzell has “a little bit of a rib concern,” popping out of final weekend’s 34-26 extra time loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Mizzell hasn’t been dominated out of Friday’s go to to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, however the workforce mind belief additionally wished Hardy to “get reps to be taught and to see the place he Is,” based on Campbell after apply.

Hardy signed with the Lions in August and was on their apply roster for 3 days earlier than the workforce introduced his launch. He signed once more with B.C. final Monday and was added to the apply roster.

B.C.’s floor sport has lagged of late. The Lions had been held to 48 yards on 12 carries in opposition to the Blue Bombers. They’re final within the nine-team league in dashing (82.8 yards per sport).

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Hardy, 25, obtained into three NFL common season video games with the Dallas Cowboys in 2021 after they signed him as an undrafted free agent following his collegiate profession with the Tiffin Dragons, an NCAA Div. II program in Tiffin, Ohio. He had 4 carries for 29 yards, together with a 22-yard landing run in a 51-26 romp over the Philadelphia Eagles within the closing sport of the common season. 

The 5-foot-10, 225-pound Hardy was waived by the Cowboys the next season. He was in camp with the Denver Broncos for a number of weeks earlier than he was waived.

Campbell lauded his physicality and his depth. 

Lions
The Saskatchewan Roughriders make a sort out on B.C. Lions operating again Taquan Mizzell (23) through the first half of pre season CFL motion at Mosaic Stadium on Saturday, Could 27, 2023 in Regina. Photograph by KAYLE NEIS /Regina Chief-Submit

Mizzell, 29, has run for 773 yards on 153 carries with three touchdowns. He’s seventh within the league in dashing.

He was restricted to 6 carries and 23 yards versus Winnipeg, with a protracted of eight yards. The Lions additionally did not convert on a third-and-one within the fourth quarter that was essential. 

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“We need to be extra constant,” Campbell mentioned of the operating sport. “We positively need to be environment friendly within the quick yardage sport, whether or not that’s a QB sneak or a second-and-three. These are large ones. 

“We’re doing a little good issues. We simply need to ensure we’re actually constant.”

Lions centre Michael Couture says that there may some tactical changes the offensive line may make and presumably extra communication between the quintet and the operating backs about what each are seeing. 

Greater than something, although, he believes “we have to profit from the play when it’s referred to as.  We simply must preserve working.”

B.C. (11-5) has two extra common season video games to go, dealing with Hamilton (8-8) after which taking part in the Calgary Stampeders (4-11) at residence earlier than having a bye for the ultimate week of the common season.

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They’re all however assured of internet hosting the West Division semifinal. Winnipeg (12-4) hasn’t mathematically wrapped up first place and the bye to the West closing that goes with it, however final week’s win over B.C. provides the Blue Bombers a one-game lead on the Lions and the season collection tiebreaker as properly. That implies that B.C. must win their closing two video games and Winnipeg must lose to each the Edmonton Elks (4-12) and Calgary for the Lions to leap previous them within the standings.

“We’re doing all proper. That was an emotional sport for an everyday season sport,” Campbell mentioned of the workforce temper coming again after the Winnipeg loss. “We’re going to be wanting ahead to taking part in Hamilton.”

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