It’s a philosophy the Winnipeg Blue Bombers have long preached, occasionally drawing eye rolls from media and fans because it’s been repeated so often it has become cliché.

And over the next two weeks, the Bombers ‘next-man-up’ mantra will be put to the test more severely than at any point over the last few seasons.

Monday’s news that Andrew Harris will be suspended two games for being found with trace amounts of a banned substance in his system means the Bombers will head into their annual Labour Day Classic/Banjo Bowl home-and-home series with the Saskatchewan Roughriders minus their all-star running back and starting quarterback Matt Nichols.

The Bombers were able to survive without Nichols in last Friday’s win over the Edmonton Eskimos, as Chris Streveler improved to 2-3 as a starter in relief. The question now is, can the Bombers – already without receiver Darvin Adams, defensive ends Jackson Jeffcoat and Craig Roh, defensive backs Brandon Alexander and Chris Humes and guard Pat Neufeld – still stay afloat minus both their starting QB and workhorse tailback?

It’s worth noting the Bombers also managed to tread water when Harris was injured for three games in 2016, going 1-2 with a win over Toronto and then losses to Calgary and Edmonton.

In those three games the club turned to Timothy Flanders, who rushed for 262 yards and two touchdowns, while also pulling in 15 passes for 145 yards.

But with Flanders no longer with the club, the Bombers have two options at the running back position with Harris on the shelf – Canadian Johnny Augustine and import John Santiago. Just FYI, Winnipegger and 2019 CFL Draft pick Brady Oliveira suffered a leg injury in the home opener in June and remains on the six-game injured list.

Here’s a brief look at the two in-house candidates to replace Harris:

Johnny Augustine

Height: 5-9
Weight: 206
Born: July 7, 1993 in Welland, Ontario

College: Starred at the University of Guelph, where he rushed for 2,742 yards and 28 TDs in his five years… Was named to the Ontario University Athletic All-Rookie team in 2013.

Notable: In 2005, as a 12-year-old, he was a World National Karate Champion… Was the Southern Ontario Secondary Schools Association 100-metre champ in 2012.

Pro: Rose to prominence in CFL circles with an outstanding performance at the 2017 Draft Combine, but did not get drafted. Instead, he was signed by Edmonton as an undrafted free agent and attended their training camp before returning to school. Was then signed by Saskatchewan, but released prior to 2018 camp.

Blue Bombers: Earned his spot with the Bombers after a solid camp, including a preseason game in which he rushed eight times for 81 yards and a TD. Has appeared in 17 games over the last two years with the Bombers and has rushed 16 times in spot duty for 111 yards and a juicy 6.9-yards per carry average. He has just one reception to his name.

Synopsis: He’s a violent north-south ball carrier who runs with a fury, as if each carry might be his last. Unproven both as a receiver and blocker in game action strictly due to a lack of playing time.

John Santiago

Height: 5-9
Weight: 187
Born: November 27, 1996 in Andover, MN.

College: Superb numbers with the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks, where he rushed for 3,722 yards, added 325 through the air, 2,186 kickoff return yards and 334 punt return yards… Scored 32 touchdowns in 42 games… He was a three time FCS All-American, the Big Sky Freshman of the Year… Holds the UND record for rushing and all-purpose yards… Was a teammate at UND with Oliveira.

UND highlights: https://youtu.be/WLJjTsExCvw

Pro: Had rookie camp tryouts with both the Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings in 2019.

Blue Bombers: Signed with the Bombers in May, but was released after training camp. Re-signed and added to the practice roster on July 3, following the injury to Oliveira.

Synopsis: Jury’s out. Too little evidence to pass any kind of judgement, but did get a look in camp as both a running back and a returner. Rushed four times for 13 yards in the team’s first preseason game, a 20-3 win over Edmonton, and three times for 19 yards in the preseason win over Saskatchewan a week later, while also returning kicks.