The Winnipeg Blue Bombers 2019 first round pick, Canadian defensive lineman Jonathan Kongbo practiced for the first time with the team on Monday.

“A lot of respect for the way he’s just stuck with it and kept working hard,” Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea said.

“It’s not easy for a player to be shelved with the way the rules are not being able to participate on the field.”

Every single team had a first-round grade on Kongbo heading into the draft, but a torn ACL suffered last October during his senior season with the University of Tennessee created uncertainty. But the Bombers chose him fifth overall, signing three-year contract, according to 3DownNation’s John Hodge.