‘It’s going to be a battle’

Mike O’Shea is more likely to cough up his credit card information than share anything about an injured player.

That especially rings true when it comes to the quarterback position — and Zach Collaros.

The starting pivot for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2-2) left Sunday’s 14-13 win in Hamilton on the first play of the second quarter after being strip-sacked from the blind side.

Collaros is on the injury report with a neck issue and is listed as questionable for Friday’s date with the visiting Toronto Argonauts (2-2).

He did not participate in the team’s return to work on Wednesday for a closed practice, a detail that wasn’t revealed until the injury report was released less than an hour after the day’s media availability concluded.

“He looked good today,” said O’Shea with a grin, in what has become one of his trademark responses when pressed for details.

Looking good is not something the Bombers have done at Princess Auto Stadium so far this season. The Blue and Gold haven’t started a campaign 0-3 on their home field since 2016, and they’ll match that unwanted mark if they can’t get past the Argos.

That’s something that doesn’t sit well with defensive end Willie Jefferson.

In his first six seasons in Winnipeg, the club went 44-8 on its turf.

Before and after Wednesday’s practice, the future Hall of Fame pass rusher addressed the team’s early struggles on Chancellor Matheson Road with his teammates, making it clear they can’t allow it to become the norm.

“Sorry you guys weren’t there to hear it, but it is what it is,” Jefferson told reporters in the locker room.

“This is what we do, especially at home — we win when we’re at home. It just so happened two tough games, two tough losses at home at the beginning of the season, but this is our time to flip it.”

Technically, however, the Bombers will be the “road” team this week.

Because of the FIFA World Cup, the Argos are playing three designated “home” games at their opponents’ stadiums, and this is one of them.

Unlike a typical away affair, there’ll be no need to pack a bag, board a charter flight and settle in at a hotel the night before.

It’s been a while since Jefferson, who grew up in Beaumont, Texas, has been able to simply drive down the road to, well, play a road game.

“When I was in (high school), Beaumont Ozen vs. Beaumont Central — literally one school is 10 minutes north, the other school is 10 minutes south, so, I’ve done it before,” he said.

“But I understand with FIFA and the World Cup, Toronto doesn’t have a home stadium. What better place to come than Princess Auto with 30,000-plus? I understand they might not get that on the regular.”

If Collaros can’t go, at least the Bombers can take solace in the strides their defence made in Hamilton.

Yes, Tiger-Cats quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell suffered a serious ankle injury in the third quarter, but Winnipeg frustrated the legendary passer in the red zone before his exit, forcing Hamilton to settle for a pair of second-quarter field goals. The Bombers also finally showed signs of life against the run, holding the Ticats to 61 rushing yards after allowing an average of 154.3 through their first three games.

“I don’t know about a big step, but we took a step in the right direction,” said Jefferson.

One of the biggest bright spots was rookie cornerback Major Williams, who was targeted a whopping 10 times but allowed just three receptions. He intercepted Ticats backup Tre Ford with just over three minutes remaining, giving Brady Oliveira and the offence a chance to set up Sergio Castillo for the game-winning field goal.

“They were trying him all game, and I thought he really kept his composure — even when things weren’t going well and when things were going well,” said Oliveira.

“I really liked that about him, it’s just, a next play mentality. I just felt like it was only a matter of time… I just had a feeling that eventually he’d come down with him.

“You can ask him, I called it.”

The defence will look to build on that performance against an Argos offence that has moved the ball with ease this season behind quarterback Chad Kelly.

Kelly is averaging 371 passing yards and three touchdown passes per game.

“They score a lot of points. Any time you’re facing Chad Kelly, the guy has a rocket, he’s a great player,” said defensive lineman Jake Ceresna, who won a Grey Cup with the Boatmen in 2024.

“I was his teammate, so I know how he prepares and how he attacks defences. It’s going to be a big challenge for us.”

Whether it’s Collaros, Dru Brown or Taylor Elgersma under centre, the Bombers should be licking their chops at the thought of facing Toronto’s defence. The Argos have allowed a league-high 384 passing yards per game and were picked apart by the Calgary Stampeders in a 58-36 loss last Thursday.

Stamps quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. threw for 405 yards and six touchdowns.

“They’re gonna go watch that tape, learn from their mistakes and hopefully correct them,” said Oliveira.

“I’m expecting a much sharper defence from Toronto and I think it’s going to be a battle.”

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