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EDMONTON -- It was going to be a breakthrough campaign for career backup quarterback Matt Nichols, the year he fought to be the No. 1 signal caller. Instead the 26-year-old Edmonton Eskimo formally ended his 2013 season Tuesday with the announcement he will undergo surgery for a torn anterior cruciate ligament on his right knee. Its an injury -- received in last weeks pre-season game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders --that reinforced Nichols reputation for fearless play, but also suggested the California native is fast becoming his own worst enemy. Nichols, his knee wrapped in a bandage, had a quick answer to concerns he competes with too much reckless abandon at such a critical position. "I dont really plan on changing the way I play," Nichols told reporters at Commonwealth Stadium prior to the team practice. "The quarterback position is a little bit more than just being able to throw a football. Its about being a team leader." Nichols was hurt last Friday after the injury in the 31-24 loss at Commonwealth Stadium. It was late in the first quarter when Nichols threw a quick slant pass to receiver Ed Gant. The ball bounced off Gants hands and was caught by Riders defensive back Carlos Thomas, who raced 30 yards untouched down the sideline to paydirt, led by defensive end Kenny Rowe. There was no one in sight, an easy pick-six in a meaningless game, but then came Nichols barrelling in on an angle, determined to catch Thomas at the goal-line. He ran straight into the path of Rowe who delivered a textbook hit to the shoulder. Nichols legs got caught under him and down he went in a heap, clutching his right knee in the end zone as the Riders celebrated the TD. "All my weight just kind of happened to be on my right leg and it got pushed on my left shoulder," said Nichols. "I was kind of actually kind of letting up on the play." It was the second time that game that Nichols had put himself in harms way after a pick. A few minutes earlier, he ran into the left flat and threw an interception to Riders defensive back Macho Harris. Nichols ran up to try and make the tackle and in doing so dropped his throwing shoulder into Riders defensive end turned blocker John Chick. Nichols said he was just doing his job. "Chasing down an interception is not something that I think is an aggressive play," he said. "Ive been playing this position my whole life. Ive thrown my fair share of interceptions and Ive made touchdown-saving tackles on em, too." Nichols is known for his headstrong play, but when training camp opened June 1 he said the plan in 2013 was for more discretion. "If its the end of a game and its third and five and I need an extra yard for a first down Im going to do anything I can to get that first down. Earlier in the game Ill probably play it a little bit more safe," he said at the time. Days later he turned those words into actions, hook sliding during a team scrimmage. At the time, Eskimo head coach Kavis Reed said he, too, wanted Nichols to lead a little less with his chin. "(Nichols) is a young man that is hell bent on trying to make the play so that his team can be better off for it, but we want him to have longevity in this league and we are hopeful that he can preserve himself more," said Reed at the time. "Having gone through an injury, I think hes going to be more conscientious of knowing when to take risks." The injury Reed was referring to occurred seven months earlier in last years East Division semifinal against the Toronto Argonauts. Nichols was flushed quickly out of the pocket and hauled down from behind by Argo defensive end Ronald Flemons. He tried to fight through the sack and managed to throw the ball away but in doing so got his feet trapped under him and gruesomely broke his left fibula and turned his ankle 180 degrees. Months earlier, Nichols was concussed by two defenders diving for a extra few yards against Hamilton. Nichols had been duelling with former B.C. Lion Mike Reilly for the No. 1 quarterback job in camp. Reilly is starting Friday in Vancouver in the final pre-season game against his former team and heads into the regular season at the top of the depth chart. Veteran Kerry Joseph is expected to move up into the backup role and will see playing time against B.C.Cheap NFL Jerseys China . Only three players drafted by NHL clubs were included on the Czech selection camp roster on Wednesday. Those players were Dallas Stars 2012 first-rounder Radek Faksa, Winnipeg Jets 2013 fourth-rounder Jan Kostalek and Phoenix Coyotes 2012 seventh-rounder Marek Langhamer. Wholesale Jerseys Online . According to a report from the Vancouver Province, the Lions are expected to replace former DC Rich Stubler with defensive backs coach Mark Washington. https://www.wholesalejerseys2020.com/ . PETERSBURG, Fla. Wholesale Stitched Jerseys . Rob Manfred, baseballs chief operating officer, testified last week during the grievance filed by the players union to overturn Rodriguezs 211-game suspension. A person familiar with the hearing, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press on Saturday that Manfred testified the sport wasnt concerned whether Bosch distributed performance-enhancing drugs to minors because MLBs interest was his relationship with players under investigation. Wholesale Stitched Jerseys . Dukurs winning time was 1 minute, 45.76 seconds, a quarter-second better than Russias Alexander Tretiakov. Lativas Tomass Dukurs was third, 1.41 seconds off the pace. Jon Montgomery of Eckville, Alta.KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Minnesota Twins just couldnt get the big hit they needed.The Twins loaded the bases in the second with none out and came away empty. They had runners on first and third with one out in the fourth, but failed to score in a 2-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals, who have won eight straight.We had our chances, Twins second baseman Brian Dozier said. We just didnt, like Nate Diaz last night, he just didnt pop him when he had the chance.Diaz lost a decision to Connor McGregor in a UFC fight Saturday night.The Twins were shut down by Kansas City left-hander Danny Duffy, who won his 10th straight decision.The Royals swept a four-game series from the Twins for the first time since 1999 and have their longest winning streak since an eight-game run Aug. 3-11, 2014. The Royals have won 13 of 15 since the Rally Mantis showed up in the dugout.Duffy (11-1), unbeaten since June 6, improved to 5-0 with a 1.18 ERA in August. His 2.66 ERA ranks second in the American League, while his .917 winning percent tops the majors.Duffy left after 6 2/3 innings, allowing one run and a season-high eight hits while walking two and striking out four.You know, this a lot better game for us in terms of competing compared to yesterday (a 10-0 loss), but still we have fallen short in terms of taking advantage of opportunities, Twins manager Paul Molitor said. And when youve got your best pitcher going, those things can become huge.Duffy outpitched Twins right-hander Ervin Santana (6-10), who allowed two runs and five hits while striking out 10 and walking one over seven innings.Ervin had a really nice day, Molitor said. We didnt back him up particularly well defensively, but, he made some pitches to get off the field. He minimized as best he could. Not enough timely hitting and the defense needs to continue to improve. Ervin was as good as advertised.Santana has a 1.91 ERA in his past 11 starts after beginning the season 1-7 with a 5.10 ERA.The way hes been pitching the last few games, hes lights out, Santana said of Duffy. Hes doing his job. Hes doing what hes supposed to do. He just keeps everybody off balance. He just locates his fastball and his changeup. So, thats what makes him better today.Duffy worked out a no-out, bases loaded jam in the second inning with the help of aa couple of fielding gems.dddddddddddd After Eddie Rosario struck out, Alex Gordon made a sliding catch of Kurt Suzukis fly to shallow left. Third baseman Cheslor Cuthbert snagged Danny Santanas hard hit grounder and threw out Eduardo Escobar at second base.Hosmers two-out double in the sixth over the head of center fielder Rosario scored Lorenzo Cain, who had an infield single.Hosmer singled in the second, moved to third on Kendrys Morales double and scored on Alcides Escobars ground out for the first Kansas City run.Its terrible, man, Dozier said to be swept by the Royals. Were playing good, it seems like. These past four games weve always make that one mistake and against good teams like Kansas City, its not getting people in, bases loaded, nobody out, thats the ballgame.Robbie Grossman and Trevor Plouffe doubled in the third to produce the only run off Duffy.Kelvin Herrera pitched a perfect ninth to log his seventh save in nine chances.MOLITORS BIRTHDAYMolitor turns 60 Monday. Theres some plans being made for me, Molitor said. Ill be a willing participant. Itll be nice to have an off day and do some things with the family. But not celebrate, Im past that point.NO MAUER1B Joe Mauer, who is a career .326 hitter with 14 home runs and 111 RBI against the Royals, went 0 for 12 in the series and was not in the lineup Sunday. He grounded out as a pinch hitter in the ninth.SEEING THE LIGHTThe Twins recalled RHP Pat Light, who was acquired from Boston on Aug. 1, from Triple-A Rochester, where he had a 2.57 ERA in six outings. He appeared in two games for the Red Sox this season, giving up seven runs in 2 2/3 innings.TRAINERS ROOMRoyals: RHP Kris Medlen (rotator cuff inflammation) made a Saturday rehab start for Triple-A Omaha, allowing three runs and two hits, including a home run, and a walk in 1 2/3 innings against Nashville. He threw 22 strikes in 34 pitches.UP NEXTTwins: RHP Kyle Gibson starts the series opener against Detroit on Tuesday. Gibson threw a complete-game Wednesday at Atlanta.Royals: RHP Yordano Ventura starts the series opener at Miami on Tuesday. Ventura is 0-2 in two interleague starts, yielding 11 runs over eight innings. ' ' '