BC Lions slotback Geroy Simon was scratched from Saturday’s game against Montreal due to hamstring problems.Liam Richards/The Canadian Press
Geroy Simon was surprised and angry about being on the sidelines for the first time in four years during Saturday's B.C. Lions victory over the Montreal Alouettes.
The 36-year-old B.C. Lions slotback thought he would be in the lineup, despite a hamstring injury he suffered eight days earlier in Montreal, but coach Mike Benevides had other ideas.
"I could have played, but it was something where we didn't want to take the chance of re-injuring it, so they made the decision for me," Simon said.
"I was angry because I wanted to play and I was ready to go."
Benevides said it was hard to tell Simon that he would be getting some extra rest.
"It was something he didn't want to hear, but this is about the long haul," Benevides said. "He'll be fresh and ready to go next week. And he brought something to the sideline too. He sees things, he understands things and he helped the young guys."
Simon last missed a game in 2008, when he sat out two in a row. Saturday's contest was only the fourth game he has missed since 2002.
Simon has caught 35 passes for 467 yards this year. He needs one more regular-season touchdown for 100 in his career.
Simon says he will "definitely" be in the line-up next Saturday when B.C. hosts Toronto.