MontrealAlouettes.com
MONTREAL – While the loss of star running back Brandon Whitaker is a tough blow for the first-place Alouettes, the team is determined to soldier on without him.
“I feel really bad for Brandon. I tore up my knee in college so I know what that’s like and I don’t wish that upon anyone. With today’s technology and our amazing doctors, I fully expect him to make a full recovery and be right back with us next year.”
A crucial cog in the Alouettes offensive machine since last season, Whitaker is disappointed to see his second CFL season cut short but he isn’t about to hang his head.
“It’s frustrating, but it’s football. Injuries happen. I’ll miss battling on the field with the guys but I need to stay positive. The recovery is usually six to eight months, but I pride myself on working hard so we’ll see how my recovery goes.”
As he prepares to embark on his long road back, Whitaker is looking in part to the NFL for some inspiration.
“To see Adrian Peterson come back from the same type of injury as quickly as he did definitely shows me that it’s possible and even more so since he’s a running back like me,” said Whitaker of the Vikings running back. “This offseason will be a mental and physical grind, I have a lot of positive influences in my life and I’m prepared for it.”
As a team always revered for its depth, it should come as little surprise that the Alouettes count a running back the caliber of rookie Victor Anderson on the roster. In his first CFL start back on Aug. 17 in the place of injured starter Whitaker, Anderson exploded for 102 yards rushing in a road win over Edmonton.
“Victor is a solid, quality person, let alone a great football player,” explained Popp of the young rusher he discovered at the University of Louisville. “He can help us in a lot of different ways. He’ll be the guy now and we’ll give him every opportunity to excel.”
