Esks.com
CFL.ca Staff
EDMONTON — The Edmonton Eskimos will be without one of their top defensive weapons when they take on the Tiger-Cats on Friday night, as the team announced JC Sherritt will not play due to an injured knee he suffered last week vs. the Calgary Stampeders.
Rookie linebacker Simoni Lawrence will get the start in his place.
The announcement comes just one day after Sherritt said he hopes to play in Week 15.
Sherritt, 24, appears to be the front-runner for defensive player of the year honours, with a league-high 104 tackles to go with three sacks, three interceptions, and one recovered fumble. He was named the Defensive Player of the Month earlier Wednesday, the third time he’s been given the award this season.
His absence in the lineup could prove costly for the Esks on Friday, as they look to end a five-game losing streak in a game that has major playoff implications.
“It’s always the worst feeling to watch the guys go out there and you can’t help them,” says Sherritt. “I don’t think there is a worse feeling in sports, so I’m just doing what I can to get it healthy and get ready.”
Lawrence, meanwhile, has played in 10 games this season, registering eight defensive tackles, eight special teams tackles and one fumble recovery. He spent the first two games, as well as the eighth game of the season on the 1-game injured list.
