Stegall had torn rotator cuff entering Grey Cup
Blue Bombers slotback could have retirement decision in 2-3 weeks
Milt Stegall was dealing with much more than questions about his potential retirement leading up to last November's Grey Cup — he had a serious shoulder injury.
A Canadian Football League source told the Winnipeg Sun on Tuesday that the veteran Blue Bombers slotback played the final six regular-season games and three playoff contests with a torn rotator cuff.
While the Blue Bombers won't comment on the injury, the source said Stegall hurt the shoulder on Sept. 9 in a 34-15 home win over the eventual Grey Cup champion Saskatchewan Roughriders.
The CFL's all-time touchdown leader suited up the following week against Hamilton but missed a Sept. 23 contest against the Argonauts.
Stegall, who turns 38 on Jan. 25, led all receivers with five catches for 85 yards in a 23-19 loss to Saskatchewan in the 95th CFL championship on Nov. 25.
In the regular season, he finished seventh in league receiving with 1,108 yards on 69 receptions and was named to the Eastern Division all-star team.
Along the way, Stegall repeatedly declared he was 99.9 per cent sure the 2007 season would be his last in the CFL.
But Blue Bombers general manager Brendan Taman continues to hold out hope. He expects to be informed of Stegall's decision before making contract offers to his own players or free agents in mid-February, when CFL free agency kicks off.
"There's still some issues to be determined there before I come out and say anything about whether he's coming back," Taman told the Sun. "I've talked to him a couple of times and I wouldn't bet either way. He's going to tell me soon, likely within the next two, three weeks.
"It's a tough decision for him but I think there's something there in the back of his mind that's, 'Maybe I'll give it one more go,' but that hasn't been established yet. He knows Feb. 15 is when [league-wide] free agency starts."
Winnipeg has picked up the 2008 option on Stegall's contract, meaning he continues to receive any off-season bonuses he is due.
If Stegall retires, it would free up about $200,000 for Taman to spend.