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As they say in football, next man up.

The Edmonton Eskimos announced Thursday star wide receiver Derel Walker will miss 6-8 weeks after injuring his knee in last weekend’s Labour Day Classic game against the Calgary Stampeders. The Eskimos lost 23-20 to their provincial rivals Monday but have a chance at redemption in the Labour Day rematch at Commonwealth Stadium on Saturday.

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“It was unfortunate, what happened to him, but I think at the same time fortunate because it could have been a lot worse,” Eskimos head coach Jason Maas told reporters Wednesday.

“He’s never been hurt in his life, so it’s a new experience for him. But I know Derel very well, enough to know that he’ll work his butt off to come back.”

Walker was playing excellent football, posting 875 receiving yards in 11 games (fourth in the CFL) and a league-tying eight touchdown grabs. The Eskimos will look to lean on D’haquille Williams, who leads the league in both receiving yards and touchdowns.

International wide receiver Bryant Mitchell is expected to step in and fill the role. In four games, Mitchell has caught nine passes for 146 yards and a single touchdown.