HAMILTON — Hamilton Tiger-Cats quarterback Jeremiah Masoli left Friday’s game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers late in the first quarter with what appeared to be a leg injury.

The Ticats starting pivot went down after rolling out to the right as he looked downfield for a receiver. As would-be defenders converged, Masoli turned back and fell to the ground untouched, immediately grabbing his left leg.

Masoli completed six of seven passes for 59 yards while adding 23 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground before leaving.

Backup quarterback Dane Evans took over under centre with Hamilton up 14-0 and did his best to keep things rolling as solid defence and special teams carried the team to its fifth win of the season and fourth straight at home.

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“You never know when or if you’re going to play, but you have to prepare every week like you’re going to play every play,” Evans said after the win. “You just have to be ready when your number is called.”

Evans managed the game with Masoli out and completed 13 of 25 passes for 94 yards and an interception in the win. The 25-year-old pivot is confident that he is up to the task of taking over the starting role going forward if Masoli is forced to miss more time.

“I’m ready,” Evans said. “I’ve been preparing every week like it’s my team even though it’s clearly Jeremiah’s, and I’m ready for it.”

The status of Masoli’s injury remained uncertain immediately after the game as the Ticats wait to see what comes next.

“We’ll know in the morning right away,” Ticats head coach Orlondo Steinauer said of his starter’s fate.

With less than a week before Hamilton’s Week 8 road game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders, the team is facing serious adversity and a quick turnaround.

“Jeremiah doesn’t need practice.” Steinauer said. “If it’s something that he can get through he doesn’t need to be out there, meaning if he didn’t practice days one two and three, he’d still be able to run the offence. If it’s something different then Dane’s got to step up. That’s the way it is.”

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats will look for their sixth win when they take on the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Thursday, August 1st at Mosaic Stadium.