Sep
Hughes expected to return to Stamps
Courtesy Edmonton Journal:
Charleston Hughes’s National Football League dreams were put on hold Sunday night when the deadline passed for him to sign with another team.
And it took less than a day for his CFL passion to be re-ignited.
Less than week after being a training-camp cut of the Philadelphia Eagles, the defensive lineman flew into Calgary Monday afternoon and took in the Labour Day Classic from the media box.
“It was a good game, I’m glad we won, but I would have rather been out there playing, I’ll tell you that right now,” said Hughes, after the Stamps’ 32-8 win over the Edmonton Eskimos. “I don’t like sitting back and watching games. But it feels good to be back in town; all the fellas are accepting me, they’re happy I’m back, too, so that feels good.”
If all goes according to plan, he’ll pass a physical Tuesday, then take part in his first Calgary Stampeder practice of the season after a terrific rookie season in Calgary a year ago.
“I’ll be good to go,” vowed Hughes, in between hugs and handshakes from teammates. “I think I can be out there playing (Friday, when the Stamps visit Edmonton); there’s no doubt in my mind that I want to play. I don’t care if I just take a snap on kickoff, but just one play.”
The physical will determine whether the injuries Hughes suffered during the Eagles’ training camp — a dislocated pinky finger and a bone bruise in his foot — have fully healed.
Until that’s known, Stamps coach and GM John Hufnagel is making no promises about Hughes’s status with the team. But it seems logical that Hughes wouldn’t have been flown to Calgary if the Stamps had no plans to use him.
“We have to see how healthy he is,” said Hufnagel. “Then we’ll find out where we’re going to go with it. No. 1, we have to get him physical, and hopefully if he doesn’t play, it’s not because of health reasons.”
Based on the warm greetings he was getting in the locker-room following the Stamps’ 32-8 win over the Eskimos, Hughes will have the support of his teammates.
“That’s big,” said cornerback Dwight Anderson. “Everybody knows what Charleston brought to the team last year, so it’s always a plus when you can get somebody of his stature coming back. We’re looking forward to plugging him in and seeing what he can do. He better be in shape.”
Hughes was cut in training camp by the Stamps last year, but returned after Week 1 due to injuries to the players who’d beaten him out during camp. He went on to lead the league in tackles for a loss, and tied for the team lead in sacks with five.
“It’s good,” said defensive end Justin Phillips. “Charleston was one of our leaders last year, and having a presence like him in the locker-room, and obviously everyone knows what he can do on the field, it’s good for all of us. It’ll increase everybody’s level of play. We’re excited to have him.
“We have some serious depth now (on the defensive line); at the very least, it’ll make us more competitive at practice. I’m excited; it’s good to have a friend back, too.”
