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It was late in the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ first day back at practice on Sunday and receiver Chris Matthews was going for a deep ball against Marcus Rios.

At 6-feet and 198 pounds, Rios is a decent-sized defensive back.

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But the towering Matthews (6-foot-5, 230 pounds) made it look easy, out-muscling the rookie for the ball and reminding everybody why there was such a buzz around his off-season signing.

Having a bye week after just one game might not have been ideal for the Bombers as a whole, but it has allowed Matthews to heal up in time to make his own season debut when 2-0 Edmonton rolls into town on Thursday.

“I’m psyched up, man,” Matthews said. “I’m ready to go ahead and jump up on this wall a couple of times, celebrate with the fans and get this win.”

If Matthews is, indeed, celebrating a couple of touchdowns on Thursday, it won’t be because he snuck up on anybody.

His role in Calgary’s Grey Cup run last year is still fresh on many minds, no doubt including that of the Blue Bomber brass after watching a West final in which their team lacked the kind of threat Matthews provides.