Edmonton Eskimos say offensive lineman Simeon Rottier will play this week

EDMONTON – Edmonton Eskimos offensive lineman Simeon Rottier will return to the lineup this Saturday after being benched for one game last week.

General manager Ed Hervey singled out the lineman at a news conference after a 37-34 loss to the Calgary Stampeders on Sept. 2 and Rottier sat out the rematch between the teams last Friday.

On Tuesday, the Eskimos announced that Rottier will play this weekend against the visiting Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

“Simeon has always been a part of the Edmonton Eskimos team, despite not playing last week,” Hervey said in a statement. “I’ve had a chance to meet with and talk extensively with Simeon and we acknowledge that I want him on the team and he wants to be on the team.

“He’s a proven veteran Canadian player and having him re-enter the lineup as part of our 42-man roster is what we feel gives us our most competitive roster.”

Quarterback Mike Reilly was sacked seven times in the loss on the holiday weekend. The Stampeders defeated the Eskimos 22-12 in the rematch.

Rottier was replaced on the offensive line by Cliff Louis.

At the news conference last week, Hervey said he had lost patience with Rottier and the player would be indefinitely benched.

“The majority of my frustration has been with Simeon,” Hervey said at the time. “Clearly Simeon is not living up to expectations. It wouldn’t bother me if he didn’t play another down this year.”

The 1-9 Eskimos sit in last place in the West Division standings.

The CFL Players’ Association said Monday that it considered the comments by Hervey to be “both inappropriate and contrary to the collective bargaining agreement” with the league.

A CFL spokesman said the league informed Hervey last week that his comments were inappropriate, went against the CBA, and is fully confident they won’t be repeated. There were no plans for disciplinary action.

The league also notified the CFLPA that the issue was discussed with Hervey last week, the spokesman added.

The 29-year-old Rottier, a native of Westlock, Alta., is in his fifth CFL season. The six-foot-six, 295-pounder played his first three seasons with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.