A pair of former University of Calgary football players remain in training camps for National Football League teams. Defensive back Elie Bouka and wide receiver Rashaun Simonise each participated in their respective team’s first pre-season games in Week 1 of NFL pre-season action.
Bouka missed all of last season with the Dinos due to an Achilles injury, but impressed enough in a free agent camp to be signed by the National Football Conference finalist Arizona Cardinals. Simonise, who was a CIS first team all-Canadian last year and Canada West Rookie of the Year in 2013 was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals in mid July just prior to the commencement of training camp.
Bouka, attend the Cardinals mini-camp in the off-season and spent the bulk of the summer rehabbing and working out in Phoenix. He suffered a hamstring injury early in training camp but dressed for the Cardinals first pre-season contest against the Oakland Raiders playing on some special teams, including a very impressive forced fumble on punt coverage.
Simonise caught a 47-yard pass and run play against the Minnesota Vikings in the Bengals initial pre-season game.
Both Bouka and Simonise are expected to dress for their respective teams second pre-season contests in Week 2 of pre-season competition. The Cardinals are in San Diego against the Chargers who they have had joint practices with this past week while the Bengals are in Detroit against the Lions.
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