While the Winnipeg Blue Bombers were away for the bye week, the CFL implemented another significant rule change, eliminating padded practices for the rest of this season and all of 2018.

The rule change was approved by league commissioner Randy Ambrosie and the CFL Players Association with player safety in mind.

The Bombers often went full weeks without practising in pads anyway in the first 12 weeks of the season — they were only allowed one padded practice per week — but this will be an adjustment for those players who like getting a feel for the physicality in the lead-up to a game.

“I was somewhat surprised,” cornerback Chris Randle said. “I’m mixed emotions with it. Just to have that gameday feeling with the pads is good for us but you’ve got to roll with it and we’re not too much affected by it.”

Other players applauded the move, and not surprisingly they are on the offensive side of the ball.

“It’s going to create a little bit more longevity in a lot of guys’ careers,” running back Andrew Harris said. “When we do have the pads on in practice, it’s not as intense as a game, but it definitely makes a big difference.”

The league will also extend the season to 21 weeks next season, meaning there will be three bye weeks instead of two.

“Having an extra bye week is going to be crucial too,” Harris said. “You see a lot of guys after they come off the bye week and they get that spark. Having an extra bye week added to that is going to create a better product on the field.”

The new rule was apparent at Bombers' practice Monday as defensive players performed drills using a rolling tackling dummy.

“It was just implemented this week and we had some new tackle drills so we’ll see how it goes,” Randle said.

Bombers quarterback Matt Nichols doesn’t expect much to change over the rest of the season.

“It doesn’t affect me at all,” he said. “You like to practice being physical but at the same time a big part of this is keeping guys healthy and keeping them from taking extra hits. As professionals, guys know how to practice without pads and still get their work in.”

Head coach Mike O’Shea said some players will have to change the way they prepare for games.

“We don’t kill our guys anyway in terms of a ton of contact,” he said. “I think certain players need some contact more than others. They’ve got time, on their own, to get what they need to do done and they’re smart enough to understand what they need and how to get it.

“The commissioner believed it was in the best interests of the league as a whole, from the players and from the business side, to make this decision, so we’re going to make it work.”

Middle linebacker Sam Hurl said it’s all about going with the flow. Any players who might be missing the contact in practice will need to find a different way to get ready.

“I know we’re going to do whatever we need to do to make sure we can perform on the field,” he said. “At the end of the day, I’ve got a job that I need to try to keep. I know everybody else on this field feels the same way. If we’re going on the field and we’re not performing the way we were before then you’re not going to be playing football anymore. Regardless of pads or not, we’ve got to do whatever we’ve got to do to make sure we’re ready for every game.”

WESTERMAN BANGED UP

Non-import defensive end Jamaal Westerman missed practice on Monday and is questionable for Friday’s game against Ottawa.

“He’s got to get some more evaluation,” O’Shea said. “We’ll see … we’ll find out (Tuesday) what’s going on.”

Asked if he could miss Friday’s game, O’Shea said: “I don’t know yet.”

The Bombers have depth at defensive end, with both Jackson Jeffcoat and Tristan Okpalaugo dressing for games and non-import Trent Corney backing up Westerman.

BASS FISHING

Though a source said the Bombers are interested in linebacker Khalil Bass, who was released by the Ottawa Redblacks last week, O’Shea wasn’t interested in talking about him Monday.

Bass, who had 185 tackles over two seasons with the Bombers before signing with the Redblacks in the off-season, was cut after getting demoted to backup duty and asking for his release.

“We like our guys,” O’Shea said. “Our guys are doing a good job for us. Khalil was a good player for us. He signed in Ottawa and I’m not sure what has transpired there, obviously, but as of right now, I think our guys are good football players.”

Though he was their starting middle linebacker last season, the Bombers let Bass walk in free agency, with GM Kyle Walters saying he was more suited to play weak-side, a position already occupied by Ian Wild.

BACK IN ACTION

Safety Taylor Loffler and linebacker Kyle Knox, who missed the 48-28 win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Sept. 9, were back at practice Monday.

Loffler was a last-minute scratch and was replaced by Derek Jones, while Jovan Santos-Knox filled in admirably for Knox.

“Feeling great, ready to go this week,” Loffler said.

“I just had some things going on and I’m just glad we had the bye week when we did and I’m able to get back and be healthy now.”

HALL OF FAMER

O’Shea was busy during the bye week, getting inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame for his time as a player with the Toronto Argonauts and Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

The former bruising middle linebacker loathes talking about himself, but admitted it was a special occasion.

“It’s obviously well run and it’s an exciting time,” O’Shea said. “More than that, it’s the family on both sides, mine and my wife’s family, everybody is there. Friends from North Bay, from Guelph, from teams I played on. It’s just seeing a group of people coming to talk to you and hang out with out and have a beer with you … it’s pretty nice.”

Nichols said it couldn’t happen to a better guy.

“He’s an incredible player, great person, someone I love playing for,” Nichols said. “I love to see him getting recognition he deserves even though he’s the last person that wants to accept it.”

Twyman@postmedia.com

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