Veteran receiver Lucky Whitehead will make his 2024 debut on Thursday night when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the B.C. Lions, starting at boundary slotback.
The 32-year-old signed with the Blue Bombers earlier this month and has spent the past three weeks on the practice roster.
This is his second stint with Winnipeg, having made 52 catches for 521 yards and two touchdowns, nine carries for 92 yards and one touchdown, 20 kickoff returns for 596 yards and one touchdown, seven punt returns for 54 yards, and two missed field goal returns for 62 yards with the Blue Bombers as a CFL rookie in 2019, helping them end a long Grey Cup drought.
Whitehead spent the past three seasons with the B.C. Lions, making 196 receptions for 2,671 yards and 10 touchdowns, 26 punt returns for 216 yards and one touchdown, and four missed field goal returns for 171 yards and one touchdown.
In total, the Florida Atlantic product has made 248 catches for 3,192 yards and 12 touchdowns, 15 carries for 118 yards and one touchdown, 30 punt returns for 270 yards and one touchdown, 21 kickoff returns for 596 yards and one touchdown, and six missed field goal returns for 233 yards and one touchdown over 60 career CFL games. He was named a league all-star in 2021.
The speedster will start in place of Drew Wolitarsky, who has been added to the six-game injured list due to a shoulder injury. The seven-year veteran caught 26 passes for 326 yards and one touchdown over eight games to start the season.
Veteran offensive lineman Patrick Neufeld has also been added to the six-game injured list due to a knee problem. He will be replaced at right guard by Kendall Randolph, who will make his first career CFL start. The University of Alabama product spent the first eight weeks of the season on the practice roster.
American defensive backs Tyrique McGhee and Marquise Bridges, both of whom dressed in depth roles last week, have been moved to the practice roster.
Canadian defensive back Jake Kelly, a second-round pick in the 2023 CFL Draft out of Bishop’s University, has been added back to the active roster along with Global linebacker Souleymane Karamoko. Kelly made two defensive tackles, six special teams tackles, and one forced fumble over 10 games last season.
The Blue Bombers now have a league-high 13 players on the six-game injured list, including star receivers Kenny Lawler and Dalton Schoen.