'The training staff is working hard together, just trying to work at it, so we'll see what happens,' said B.C. Lions quarterback Casey Printers, seen during a game last month.'The training staff is working hard together, just trying to work at it, so we'll see what happens,' said B.C. Lions quarterback Casey Printers, seen during a game last month. (Geoff Howe/Canadian Press)

The B.C. Lions are hoping its fragile quarterback corps is finally on the mend heading into its biggest game of the season.

The Lions face the Tiger-Cats in Hamilton on Sunday in the CFL's East Division semifinal, hampered by a roster that has been riddled with injuries.

The Lions were down to its last quarterback, fifth-stringer Zac Champion, when they lost 45-13 on Saturday to the Edmonton Eskimos.

But things looked brighter on Monday. The 8-10 Lions had backed into the playoffs as a crossover team and No. 3 seed in the East and there was hope for its quarterbacks' health.

"It'll be fine, hopefully," Casey Printers, the Lions' projected starter, said of his sprained right thumb.

"The training staff is working hard together, just trying to work at it, so we'll see what happens."

Printers lasted just over five minutes against the Eskimos before he injured his thumb scrambling in the backfield.

"From every indication that we're getting, we believe he'll be able to [start]," coach Wally Buono said.

Next in his quarterback pecking order is rookie Travis Lulay, whose shoulder injury prevented him from dressing against Edmonton but expects to be testing his arm in practice.

"I'm going to be healthy this week and be ready to go," said Lulay who was injured in a 24-21 victory over Winnipeg on Oct. 18.

"I wouldn't say I'm 100 per cent but it's very close."

Lulay, who has completed 22 of 36 passes for 324 yards and two touchdowns along with two interceptions over five games, said he could start if necessary.

"It depends on how Casey is but I'm going to prepare as though I'm going to be the guy," Lulay said at the club's practice facility.

Injury-prone Pierce preparing as 3rd quarterback

Buck Pierce, the previous No. 1 pivot who has battled shoulder problems much of the season and left the Edmonton game early in the second half, could dress as the third quarterback.

"It's not great," Pierce said of his injury.

"It's kind of day to day. Right now, it's getting some range of motion back in it. The pain's still there but there are ways we can get around that."

One thing the Lions have in its favour is an extra day between games.

"Sunday's a long time away so we'll see what happens in the next couple of days," Printers said.

B.C. has lost three straight entering the playoffs against the Ticats, a club that swept them in July — 31-28 at home and 30-18 in Hamilton.

Hamilton, 11-7, is host to a home playoff game for the first time in eight years after they defeated the Blue Bombers 39-17 in Winnipeg on Sunday, which opened the door for B.C.