Blue Bombers return with Collaros at the controls

There are worse places the Winnipeg Blue Bombers could be than 4-4.

But if they want to stay at or above .500, they can’t play anything like they have in their previous two outings, in which they’ve been outscored 87-49. Their latest setback was a 35-19 loss to the B.C. Lions on July 30.

“Everybody wants to win every single game in our locker room so I think we can empathize with people’s frustration,” said quarterback Zach Collaros after Thursday’s walkthrough at Princess Auto Stadium.

The Bombers have a glorious opportunity to get back on track when they host the lowly, winless Ottawa Redblacks (0-8) for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff on Friday night. The Redblacks dropped a 42-20 road result against the Saskatchewan Roughriders last week.

With that said, the Blue and Gold can’t take their visitors lightly. When the sides met in the nation’s capital on July 19, Winnipeg was fortunate to escape with a 36-34 overtime victory.

“They’re another professional team in the CFL. Their record doesn’t mean anything,” said returner Trey Vaval.

To get you ready for game day, here’s the latest edition of 5 Storylines.

ZACH IS BACK

He’s no saviour, but Collaros is certainly an upgrade.

The veteran is back under centre after missing the last four contests — his longest absence since being traded to the Bombers midway through 2019 — with a neck injury.

Backup Dru Brown filled in and went 2-2 during that stretch, but his last two performances were discouraging, to say the least.

“I think you start to really realize when you have a guy out of the lineup for a little bit his actual importance, and his importance is hard to put into words,” said running back Brady Oliveira on Collaros.

“Just his presence, his confidence, he knows how to stay cool, calm and collected — like all that makes the huddle feel really, really good even through the highs and the lows.”

In three full games, plus the one quarter he played in Hamilton before getting injured, Collaros has completed 71 per cent of his passes for 985 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions.

The Bombers rank seventh in both passing TDs (11) and passing yards per game (270.8). They’re also tied with Ottawa for the fewest offensive touchdowns scored, with 16.

While Collaros can’t fix everything on this team, he does need to do his part to improve those numbers.

Right tackle Jarell Broxton will also make his return after missing the game against the Lions.

MAYBE BRADY

It’s not all good news for the Bombers on the injury front.

Oliveira is listed as a game-time decision after sitting out Wednesday’s practice with an ankle injury.

The Winnipegger is currently third in the CFL in rushing with 658 yards (Calgary’s Dedrick Mills is in first with 707).

Despite the designation, Oliveira was moving around comfortably on Thursday, and it would be a surprise to see him ruled out.

Assuming he does suit up, Oliveira doesn’t plan on changing his running style.

“I thrive under those bumps and bruises and the physicality of the game. That’s just my style. I mean, I’m a big back, 230 pounds, I think I’m supposed to run through defenders, not out of bounds,” he said.

But if he can’t go, second-year tailback Matthew Peterson will likely get called up from the practice roster to help backup fellow Canadian Michael Chris-Ike with rushing duties.

Ottawa has allowed the opposition to run for 120.9 yards per game on average. Winnipeg is the only team with a worse mark.

CAN SOMEBODY PLEASE STOP THE RUN?

Defensive tackle Cam Lawson felt helpless watching his teammates get shredded for 377 rushing yards against B.C.

Fortunately for the fifth-year Canadian and the Bombers, he’s back in action this week after missing the past three games with a hip injury.

“It was very frustrating not being able to participate in that game and help the guys out where they needed it most. But you know, we got in the film room afterwards and we corrected all of it. That’s the best we could do,” said Lawson.

“We weren’t playing where we were supposed to on each play and there was a lot of confusion going on and the communication wasn’t there.”

It can’t get any worse for the Bombers — a group that’s ranked dead last against the run by allowing 141.1 yards on average.

It’ll also help their cause that they have a date with the Redblacks — a team that is averaging a dismal 53.4 rushing yards.

Ottawa’s starting running back Greg Bell had a season-high 65 rushing yards on 14 carries against the Bombers in Week 7.

CHANGES IN OTTAWA

The Redblacks have lost 14 consecutive games dating to Sept. 12, 2025.

The CFL record is 16, which was set by the 1948-49 Hamilton Wildcats (precursor to the Tiger-Cats).

So it should come as no surprise that head coach/general manager Ryan Dinwiddie hasn’t been shy about making changes.

He fired defensive co-ordinator William Fields last week and tasked Jeff Reinebold — previously the special teams co-ordinator — with taking over.

Dinwiddie also let go of two starters in the secondary on Monday in Demerio Houston and Amari Henderson. They’ve been replaced by a pair of inexperienced options in Marcus Barnes and King Ambers.

The Redblacks will also be lacking in experience at right tackle, as Zachary Barlev will make his first career CFL start with both Julian Pearl and Zack Pelehos out with injuries.

The 23-year-old out of Old Dominion can expect to see a lot of defensive end Willie Jefferson, who is riding a four-game sack streak.

BYE WEEK BLUES

It wasn’t that long ago when it felt like the Bombers were unbeatable after a week off.

Between 2018 and 2024, they managed to go 15-1 after byes.

Since? It’s been a much different story, as they’ve gone 1-3 after byes, including a 23-18 home loss to Edmonton in Week 4.

Now would be an ideal time to get back to their winning ways after being given extra time to prepare. After Ottawa, they enter an challenging stretch that sees them face Edmonton and Montreal before their annual back-to-back with Saskatchewan.

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