It has been 302 days since Noah Hallett last put on his full uniform and ran onto the football field for a game with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
He’ll finally get a chance to do it again on Saturday afternoon when the Bombers host the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the annual Banjo Bowl at IG Field.
“It’s been a long time coming,” Hallett said Friday after the Bombers held their final walk through.
“I’ve been waiting for this day. The progress in rehab is never linear. You have some good days and bad days so I wasn’t really sure the time was gonna come. Now that it’s here, I’m just trying to be in the moment and take it all in.”
Hallett last played on Nov. 13, 2021 in Montreal against the Alouettes. He suffered a knee injury that day, forcing him to miss the rest of the season, the playoffs, the Grey Cup, training camp in 2022 and the first 12 games of this season.
“It’s been pretty gruelling but it’s been nice being around the building at least,” Hallett said. “I’ve got lots of encouragement from the guys. That has helped out.”
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Hallett, a 24-year-old second-year defensive back from London, Ont., played in nine games last year, mostly on special teams.
He was injured while making his only defensive tackle of the season, after going in at safety in Montreal that November day.
On that day, he backed up his older brother Nick at safety and he will do the same on Saturday. Nick has started the last five games and recorded his first CFL interception to help the Bombers seal a 20-18 win at Saskatchewan last week.
“That was awesome … I was so excited for him,” said Noah, who is four years younger than Nick. “He’s been working really hard to get that opportunity, so I’m glad he was able to make the most of it and get that pick last week. I know he’s just happy to be doing more, as much as he can, for the team.
“It hasn’t been easy just watching. You definitely want to be out there. It’s been tough watching the games cause you want to be out there, putting your body on the line for your teammates. I love this team, they’ve helped me out so much throughout this process.”
Bombers coach Mike O’Shea said it’s always uplifting for the team to see someone get back in the lineup after such a long rehab.
“It absolutely is (good to see him back),” O’Shea said. “Those are tough grinds for the players personally. What’s really cool is just watching their teammates respond when they get out and start practising for the first time. And then the guys are excited to see them get back on the field for a game.”
HAPPY RETURNS
The Bombers should get a boost in their return game from the return of Janarion Grant, who missed the last two games with a groin injury.
The Bombers tried a few players in the return game — Evan Holm, Nick Taylor, Greg McCrae, Jamal Parker, Tyrell Ford — over the last two weeks and inexperience was definitely a factor.
Grant played in the NFL and has been one of the CFL’s most dynamic returners since 2019. He has six return touchdowns, including five on punts. He scored a punt-return touchdown in the Banjo Bowl in 2019.
“Just trying to do the same thing,” Grant said Friday.
“Just being dynamic, explosive, a strong runner. I’m just ready to get back out there and play for my team and do the thing that I love.”
The Bombers twice gave up single points for field position in very close games in recent weeks and that’s something less likely to happen with Grant in the game. He knows how to run up and catch balls and get up field for positive yards.
“Over his history with us, he’s been an excellent returner,” O’Shea said. “He’s scored, he’s scored different ways, he has put us into good field position many times, he’s tough. He can get the ball and end up squirting through a lot of traffic. The group in front of him likes blocking for him.”
GAUTHIER STARTING
Shayne Gauthier is definitely what you’d call a behind-the-scenes player for the Bombers.
Though he’s in his sixth season with the Bombers, he’s best known for his special teams work and spot duty on defence.
On Saturday, the 30-year-old from Quebec will start at weak-side linebacker, the fourth player to do so for the Bombers this year.
Kyrie Wilson and Malik Clements both had the job before getting injured and veteran Canadian Jesse Briggs got the start last week, with Gauthier backing him up.
Those roles are reversed this week.
“We work a lot, as a group, to perform on the field with whoever is going out there,” Gauthier said. “(Saturday), it’s my turn.”
Gauthier has figured more and more into the Bombers defence in recent years. He gets a lot of reps when the Bombers use a true three-linebacker formation (instead of two and a dime back). He recorded his first pro sack two weeks ago against Calgary and had six defensive tackles last week in the Labour Day Classic.
“I’ve been here for so many years and a lot of people in our group have been here for a long time,” Gauthier said. “ We just know our things now. In the past we’ve had reps during games that make us better. We’ve just all bought in. The hard work pays off and I’ve got a chance to prove it. I just want to keep building on this.
“You play football to get those reps. I played on four specials before and that was my job. (Saturday), it’s to be part of the defence. I’m just gonna do what is asked of me, do the best I can and honour my teammates.”
The Bombers are favoured by 7.5 points to win at home in the Banjo Bowl.
Twitter.com/Ted_Wyman
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