The defensive end position has been a precarious one for the Stampeders so far in 2017.

After another couple of injuries knocked Aston Whiteside and Kashawn Fraser out of the lineup in the win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers last week, James Vaughters knew he was in for a long night.

“The next man up mentality. It’s nothing new,” admitted Vaughters. “When you only dress three guys, if someone goes down, you’re likely playing the whole game anyways. So when two guys go down, you’re definitely playing the whole game.”

A 6-foot-2, 247-lb. product out of Stanford, Vaughters played the majority of the game and fared well against the large Bombers offensive line.

The team is still very thin at defensive end — even after bringing back former Stamp Ben D’Aguilar and adding ex-Eskimo Reuben Frank this week – so Vaughters is ready for anything.

“With everything that happened last week, we tried to do what any team would do,” said Vaughters. “You try to reload, prepare everybody to play a lot of positions, play a lot of reps and play at the highest level they can.”

The Stamps hope to get all-star Charleston Hughes back soon but Cordarro Law, Ja’Gared Davis and, most recently, Fraser and Whiteside, have left the Stamps scrambling for bodies.

Reuben Frank after his first practice with the Stamps (MOLLY CAMPBELL/STAMPEDERS.COM)

Enter Frank, who played seven games for the Eskimos last season and attended mini-camp with the Montreal Alouettes this past off-season. The Connecticut alum started practising with the Stamps on Monday.

“Reuben, I thought, has shown up this week,” said Stamps head coach Dave Dickenson. “It gives me an option if he plays. I think he’ll not only have good energy, but he can do some special teams as well. If he gets in there, that’s where his strengths lie.”

Frank, a Poughkeepsie, N.Y., native, is just thankful for a chance to play in the CFL.

“It’s been a blessing,” Frank said. “I thank God that they brought me in and gave me a chance to be a part of the team. Hopefully I can contribute in whatever way it is, whether it be practice or playing. I just want to be the best I can be.

“I had gone to mini-camp with Montreal and things didn’t work out, so I was at home working out and training hard. Praying and hoping that something would pop up and then this came. It’s a blessing when your prayers are answered, and then getting to play for a great organization with great teammates, it’s a priceless opportunity.”

This week has been a crash course for Frank.

“It hasn’t been very easy,” admitted Frank of learning defensive coordinator DeVone Claybrooks’ system. “But at the same time, (defensive line) coach (Corey) Mace has helped me out a lot and been there for me. A lot of the other defensive lineman are helping by checking in with me if I’m doing something wrong and just helping me along the way. It’s been a really good process.

“It hasn’t been too hard. Find the quarterback and if you can get there, tackle him, and set the edge. It’s been fun. I’m glad to be here and I can’t complain at all.”