CFL

Bomber Report

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive back Nick Hallett (21) believes he has something to prove after feeling like he wasn’t as good last season with the Blue and Gold.

Bombers’ Hallett back with a chip on his shoulder

Taylor Allen 7 minute read Yesterday at 6:12 PM CDT

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Nick Hallett was the last returning Blue Bomber to be offered a contract this off-season.

It looked like the club was moving on from the 32-year-old special teams ace when finally, a deal got done on Feb. 11.

Even though he had to wait the longest for it to be his turn, the defensive back from London, Ont., has no complaints. If anything, he understands why it might have gone down to the wire.

“I’m really happy to just be back on the team this year,” Hallett told the Free Press after Wednesday’s training camp session.

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Bomber Report

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Wide receiver Christian Fredericksen (left) said training camp with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers is ‘like a dream come true.’

Bombers’ receiver puts health-care career on hold to chase football dream

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Preview

Bombers’ receiver puts health-care career on hold to chase football dream

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Tuesday, May. 19, 2026

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are fortunate that Christian Fredericksen wasn’t discouraged by his first CFL free agent camp.

A year ago, the wide receiver from Rigby, Idaho, made the long drive to Seattle with his cleats and a $100 registration fee to attend an audition hosted by the B.C. Lions — an experience that proved less than ideal.

“It just felt like a cash grab,” Fredericksen admitted after Tuesday’s training camp session.

“About 80 per cent of the players there hadn’t played past high school. I was bummed because it didn’t matter how well I did.”

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Tuesday, May. 19, 2026

CFL

B.C. Lions' Rolly Lumbala, from left, quarterback Travis Lulay and Arland Bruce III celebrate Lulay's touchdown against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers during the first half of a CFL football game in Vancouver, B.C., on Friday, June 29, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Arbitrator awards former CFL player Arland Bruce III $25,000 in damages over concussion

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Arbitrator awards former CFL player Arland Bruce III $25,000 in damages over concussion

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 6:59 PM CDT

Former CFL player Arland Bruce III was awarded $25,000 in damages by an arbitrator earlier this month after suffering a concussion in a 2012 game.

The amount is significantly lower than the $310,000 Bruce had been seeking.

In a May 6 decision, arbitrator Allen Ponak ruled both the B.C. Lions and Montreal Alouettes committed three breaches of the collective agreement related to concussion management.

However, Ponak said that no previous arbitration cases under a collective bargaining agreement were cited "in which damage awards for safety violations have been anywhere close to the amounts being sought."

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Updated: Yesterday at 6:59 PM CDT

Bomber Report

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Receiver Jackson Tachinski (89) during Winnipeg Blue Bomber’s training camp at Princess Auto Stadium Tuesday. 260519 - Tuesday, May 19, 2026.

Jackson Tachinski back in Bomberville as pass catcher

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Preview

Jackson Tachinski back in Bomberville as pass catcher

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Tuesday, May. 19, 2026

Jackson Tachinski knows a thing or two about tossing touchdowns at Princess Auto Stadium.

The former Manitoba Bisons quarterback is now hoping he can be on the receiving end of a few as a professional.

On Tuesday, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed the local product with the intention of using him as a wide receiver.

He was in training camp with the Edmonton Elks last year as a freshly converted pass catcher, then signed by them in December after his final U Sports season. The Elks cut him last week, making the Winnipegger available for hire.

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Tuesday, May. 19, 2026

Bomber Report

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers picked up defensive lineman Kemari Munier-Bailey from Birmingham, England, in last year’s CFL Global Draft.

Bombers’ Munier-Bailey looking to prove pro dreams possible to siblings back home

Zoe Pierce 5 minute read Preview

Bombers’ Munier-Bailey looking to prove pro dreams possible to siblings back home

Zoe Pierce 5 minute read Friday, May. 15, 2026

A year ago, Kemari Munier-Bailey arrived at Winnipeg Blue Bombers training camp trying to adjust to a new league, new coaches and a new country.

After spending most of last season on the practice roster learning the CFL game, the Global defensive lineman from Birmingham, England, enters camp this year in a much different position — competing to earn a roster spot.

Munier-Bailey smiled as he recalled watching games last season with teammates, saying the loud crowds and atmosphere at Princess Auto Stadium kept motivating him to push through another week.

“You’re still doing something great, you still started something great,” Munier-Bailey said of the mindset he tried to maintain while on the practice roster. “That’s how I was trying to look at it.”

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Friday, May. 15, 2026

Bomber Report

JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS Jovan Santos-Knox (45) at Blue Bomber training camp Sunday, May 10, 2026. reporter: taylor

Bombers linebacker Santos-Knox out for season with injury

Taylor Allen 3 minute read Preview

Bombers linebacker Santos-Knox out for season with injury

Taylor Allen 3 minute read Monday, May. 18, 2026

Jovan Santos-Knox will not suit up for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2026.

The veteran linebacker suffered an apparent non-contact right leg injury 90 minutes into the opening day of training camp on May 10. On Monday, head coach Mike O’Shea confirmed the injury to the 31-year-old is season-ending.

Santos-Knox crumpled to the turf during a running drill and had to be helped off the field by two staff members.

“He was brought here for a reason — we had him here when he started and liked everything about him. He ends up not in our building, we watched him from afar and enjoyed the way he plays and the way he leads, especially,” said O’Shea.

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Monday, May. 18, 2026

Bomber Report

Ruth Bonneville / FREE PRESS Winnipeg Blue Bombers offensive lineman Tui Eli (65) is gearing up for his sixth season with the club. Eli signed a two-year extension with the Blue and Gold this past off-season.

Only compliments from Bombers roster for offensive lineman Eli

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Preview

Only compliments from Bombers roster for offensive lineman Eli

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Tuesday, May. 12, 2026

You’d think Tui Eli has the patience of a saint.

He’s been a Winnipeg Blue Bomber for five seasons, and yet, the Canadian offensive lineman has started just six games.

Instead of being a full-timer in the trenches, the University of Hawai’i product has been used as a reliable and versatile rotational piece — with zero complaints.

“He will, a lot of times, put other people first and he will always put the team first. So, if you ask him to do something, he’s not going to show any type of disappointment or anything like that — that’s his role and he will not only accept it, but do whatever he can to thrive in that role for everybody else,” said head coach Mike O’Shea after Wednesday’s training camp session.

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Tuesday, May. 12, 2026

CFL

Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Dakoda Shepley (65) defends against a rush by Los Angeles Chargers' CJ Okoye (69) during a pre-season NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dakoda Shepley says NFL taught him business but keeps focus on football

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Dakoda Shepley says NFL taught him business but keeps focus on football

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Friday, May. 15, 2026

GUELPH - The harsh business of pro football has often reared its ugly head to Dakoda Shepley, but it hasn't dampened the Canadian offensive lineman's enthusiasm for the game.

Since signing with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2018, the six-foot-five, 290-pound Shepley has spent time with six NFL teams -- including two stints with the Dallas Cowboys -- playing 16 regular-season games. 

The 31-year-old Windsor, Ont., native is currently preparing for his first season with the Toronto Argonauts after signing with the CFL team in January.

"It has taught me certainly it's a business," Shepley said of bouncing around the NFL. "But at the same time it's a game and if you can balance those two in your mind and control what you can control, then it doesn't really matter where you play.

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Friday, May. 15, 2026

CFL

Saskatchewan Roughriders' Justin Weaver, left, dives for Calgary Stampeders quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. during first half preseason CFL football action in Calgary, Monday, May 18, 2026.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Stampeders top Roughriders 20-15 in CFL pre-season action

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Stampeders top Roughriders 20-15 in CFL pre-season action

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Monday, May. 18, 2026

CALGARY - Vernon Adams connected with Jalen Philpot for a 70-yard touchdown, Josh Love added another TD on the ground and the Calgary Stampeders defeated the Saskatchewan Roughriders 20-15 in CFL pre-season action on Monday.

Adams went 3-of-5 passing for 87 yards along with an interception as the starter at quarterback, with his touchdown to Philpot coming in the first quarter. 

Love, who went 5-of-10 passing for 68 yards through the air, scored on a one-yard run in the second as the Stampeders took a 14-6 lead into halftime.

After a field goal in the third quarter put Calgary ahead 17-6 entering the fourth, the Roughriders made a push.

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Monday, May. 18, 2026

CFL

Hamilton Tiger-Cats head coach Scott Milanovich stands on the sideline during the second half of a CFL football game against the B.C. Lions, in Vancouver, on Friday, September 27, 2024. There'll be no playoff games this year for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats but head coach Scott Milanovich feels the club can get a head start on changing that narrative in 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Ticats itching to hit someone else in pre-season opener against Argos

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Ticats itching to hit someone else in pre-season opener against Argos

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press 5 minute read 2:40 PM CDT

HAMILTON - The Hamilton Tiger-Cats' first exhibition game comes at a good time for head coach Scott Milanovich.

The Ticats host the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday afternoon at Hamilton Stadium in the first pre-season contest for both clubs. It comes almost two weeks after CFL teams opened their training camps.

Milanovich said the opportunity for players to hit someone in a different coloured jersey is welcomed.

"Yeah, I think so," Milanovich said Thursday at Ron Joyce Stadium. "I mean, I know I'm getting irritable.

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2:40 PM CDT

CFL

Toronto Argonauts quarterback Jarret Doege (7) hands off the football to running back Spencer Brown (21) during the first half of CFL football action against the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Regina, on Friday, October 10, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu

Rushing leader Spencer Brown among 10 players released by Toronto Argonauts

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Rushing leader Spencer Brown among 10 players released by Toronto Argonauts

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Wednesday, May. 13, 2026

GUELPH - Spencer Brown, who led the Toronto Argonauts in rushing last season, was among 10 players released by the CFL club Wednesday.

The six-foot, 220-pound American ran for 314 yards on 74 carries with a touchdown in nine regular-season contests in 2025. He also had 42 catches for 290 yards and a touchdown.

Also let go were American quarterback Jarret Doege, Global defensive lineman Thiadric Hansen and Canadian linebacker Jordan Herdman-Reed, all CFL veterans.

Doege appeared in 18 games last season, his first with Toronto. The six-foot-one, 210-pound Texan completed 97-of-142 passes for 905 yards with four touchdowns and seven interceptions.

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Wednesday, May. 13, 2026

CFL

Toronto Argonauts' Kevin Mital (10) leaps to evade a hit from Winnipeg Blue Bombers' Terrell Bonds (24) and scores a touchdown during second half CFL football action at the 111th Grey Cup in Vancouver on Sunday, November 17, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Veteran Argos receiver Mital paying attention to detail during training camp

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Veteran Argos receiver Mital paying attention to detail during training camp

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Wednesday, May. 13, 2026

GUELPH - He has a Grey Cup ring and 100-catch season to his credit, yet receiver Kevin Mital doesn't allow himself to feel comfortable at the Toronto Argonauts training camp.

Even entering his third CFL season, the former Laval star diligently takes notes during team meetings, understanding there's no such thing as a detail that's too small.

"That's the thing I'm trying not to do, become too comfortable," Mital said Wednesday following Toronto's on-field session at Alumni Stadium. "What I've learned from the past two years is when guys come to training camp and get too comfortable, they get a surprise and get cut.

"I always try to be on top of things. I'm still taking notes, I try to be the first one out on the field, I try to stay late and write down every detail because business is business. It's still training camp, you're still fighting for a job every year … you've got to earn your spot."

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Wednesday, May. 13, 2026

CFL

Hamilton Tiger-Cats quarterback Matt Shiltz (18) throws the ball under pressure by Toronto Argonauts defensive lineman Sam Acheampong (96) during first half CFL football action in Toronto on Friday, August 26, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

Shiltz signs one-day contract to retire as member of Hamilton Tiger-Cats

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Shiltz signs one-day contract to retire as member of Hamilton Tiger-Cats

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Thursday, May. 14, 2026

HAMILTON - Quarterback Matthew Shiltz signed a one-day contract with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Thursday to retire as a member of the CFL club.

Shiltz, 33, spent eight seasons in the CFL, including two with Hamilton (2022-23). 

He began his CFL career with the Montreal Alouettes (2017-19, 2021) and also spent time with the Calgary Stampeders (2024) and Ottawa Redblacks (2025).

Shiltz appeared in 28 regular-season games with Hamilton. He completed 193 of 280 passes (68.9 per cent) for 2,491 yards with 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions. 

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Thursday, May. 14, 2026

CFL

Hamilton Tiger Cats running back Greg Bell (5) runs during first half CFL East Final football game action against the Montreal Alouettes, in Hamilton, Ont., Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter Power

Ability to protect quarterback primary element Ticats looking for in running back

The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Ability to protect quarterback primary element Ticats looking for in running back

The Canadian Press 5 minute read Thursday, May. 14, 2026

HAMILTON - Greg Bell has left some pretty big shoes to fill with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

The 27-year-old American amassed 1,464 yards from scrimmage last season. He was fifth in league rushing with 1,038 yards (five touchdowns) while adding 62 catches for 426 yards (one touchdown) in helping Hamilton (11-7) finish atop the East Division.

But if the six-foot, 200-pound Bell records a second straight 1,000-yard campaign, it will be in Ottawa. Bell joined the Redblacks in February as a free agent.

Hamilton currently has five running backs in training camp, including Americans Larry Roundtree III, Avery Morrow and Shane Watts. The others are veteran Canadians Johnny Augustine and Ante Milanovic-Litre.

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Thursday, May. 14, 2026

Bomber Report

JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros (right) said he had only been around for one practice and had only taken one rep before then Toronto Argonauts head coach Scott Milanovich threw him in to play his first pre-season game.

Bombers’ vets reminisce on their own pre-season debuts

Taylor Allen 7 minute read Preview

Bombers’ vets reminisce on their own pre-season debuts

Taylor Allen 7 minute read 6:29 PM CDT

Zach Collaros was thrown to the wolves in his first career pre-season game.

It was back in 2012 when the University of Cincinnati product was trying to break into the three-down league with the Toronto Argonauts.

He had only been around for one practice and received just one measly rep, and yet, then head coach Scott Milanovich tapped him on the shoulder and told him he was going into the game — a matchup against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at the old Ivor Wynne Stadium — in the fourth quarter.

“It’s amazing these kids get all these reps now,” said the Blue Bombers quarterback with a grin earlier this week.

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6:29 PM CDT

CFL

Toronto Argonauts defensive co-ordinator Greg Quick seen at practice in this undated photo. Greg Quick is in his third tenure with Toronto Argonauts. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout — Toronto Argonauts (Mandatory Credit)

Defensive co-ordinator Greg Quick in third stint with Toronto Argonauts

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Defensive co-ordinator Greg Quick in third stint with Toronto Argonauts

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Yesterday at 1:53 PM CDT

GUELPH - Greg Quick is the definition of a football lifer.

He played centre at Ohio's Baldwin-Wallace College before entering the coaching ranks in 1979 at Emporia State University in Kansas. 

In a career that's spanned four-plus decades at the high school, NCAA and Canadian professional levels, Quick has held numerous coaching positions -- on both sides of the ball -- and administrative roles, including the CFL's first-ever director of global scouting in 2019.

Quick is in his third stint with the Toronto Argonauts, currently as their defensive co-ordinator and linebackers coach. He previously coached linebackers in 2010-11 and again in 2018.

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Yesterday at 1:53 PM CDT

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