Report: Esks expect Duke to play vs. Riders

EDMONTON — The Edmonton Eskimos expect to have Duke Williams in the lineup in Week 17, TSN’s Farhan Lalji reported Tuesday afternoon.

Williams suffered what’s believed to be a left shoulder injury during the team’s 30-3 loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Saturday. He left the game after making two receptions and did not return.

Despite initial fears that Williams could miss substantial time, the team revealed Monday that the injury isn’t serious. Maas told reporters after practice that Williams’ injury is not season ending but the receiver’s status for this week is still up in the air.

The 25-year-old pass-catcher has enjoyed a stellar second season in the CFL, hauling in 70 passes for a league-leading 1,337 yards and 10 touchdowns in 14 games. Williams joined the Esks in 2017, playing in 13 games and amassing 715 yards and four major scores.

While most of his rookie season was spent as a field side wideout, the departures of Brandon Zylstra and Adarius Bowman forced a move inside. Williams was more than ready for the change, averaging just shy of 100 yards per game while filling the void of last year’s league-leader in Zylstra.

The Eskimos head to Saskatchewan on Monday to take on the Roughriders as Week 17 concludes at Mosaic Stadium on Thanksgiving.