Wilson knocking on wood

When speaking with Kyrie Wilson about his season, he may interupt you to do something important.

“Hold on,” he said after Thursday’s closed practice. “Let me knock on some wood.”

It’s hard to blame the Blue Bombers linebacker as it’s been a long time since he’s played this many games without being hit with an injury.

Since capping off the 2021 Grey Cup with the winning interception in overtime, it’s been mostly heartbreak for Wilson. He started 2022 red-hot before tearing his Achilles in Week 4. The injury went on to limit him to 10 games in 2023.

Then in 2024, an injury took him out after seven games. He attempted to come back in Week 16, but he tweaked his calf in warmup and was back on the shelf until the post-season. Surprisingly, he took that one even harder than his Achilles tear as he felt like he couldn’t catch a break.

“Yeah, I was emotional,” admitted Wilson. “But at the same time, I just had to remember that God helped me before so why couldn’t he help me again? And I feel like I’m in the best organization that believes in me, has my back, and was still willing to work with me and get me back to where I need to be.”

Here’s where he needs to be now. Wilson has been not only healthy, but impressive in 2025 with 34 tackles, two sacks, and two forced fumbles while starting all 13 games.

“I’m super happy he’s healthy this season and getting to showcase everything he’s about,” said Bombers dime back Redha Kramdi.

“He’s been in the shadow for a long time, playing next to Adam Bighill. But if you look at him before he hurt his Achilles, he was having a defensive MOP type of season if you look back at the stats. He’s a great football player, doesn’t make the same mistake twice. He’s gonna give you everything he’s got and if you tell him to do something on the field on the fly, he will do it. I love playing next to him.”

Wilson first made the trip up to Winnipeg back in 2017 shortly after being a final cut with the NFL’s Oakland Raiders. After paying his dues on the practice squad and backing up Jovan Santos-Knox, Wilson solidified himself as a full-time starter in 2019.

The 32-year-old from Bakersfield, Calif., is one of just five Bombers remaining from 2017.

“He’ll do anything to help the team win and I think he’s having a great year,” said veteran defensive tackle Jake Thomas. “You could tell Kyrie he’s got to play 70 snaps a game, or two snaps a game, and it’s not going to change any way he comes into work. He’s been really good in this league for a long time, it’s just he’s had some bad injury luck.”

When luck hasn’t been on his side, his teammates are quick to point out that Wilson’s demeanour remained the same.

“Since I’ve been here, I don’t think I’ve seen Kyrie upset or even just frustrated,” said linebacker Tony Jones.

“He’s one of those guys that’s always positive, always trying to get better. He’s one of those guys that you know you want on your team.”

Despite his long tenure with the club, Wilson is rarely in the spotlight – something he has zero issue with.

“I don’t be tripping about that. At the end of the day, it’s all about the team,” said Wilson.

“To be honest with you, I’m more of a lead by example type of guy.”

As reserved as he may be off the field, it’s a completely different story once the ball is snapped.

“If you ask him to talk in front of the defence, he could be super shy, but on the field, he’s one of those type of players that can flip a switch. He’s an animal,” said Kramdi.

“If you ask anyone on this defence, they’d tell you he’s a super humble guy. We all root for him and we’re always happy when he makes a play.”

Life at 6-7

You’d have to go back to 2018 to find the last time the Bombers were 6-7 through their opening 13 games.

That year, they ended up third in the West — which is where they currently reside — and went on to lose the division final on the road in Calgary.

Is there concern about being below .500 at this stage?

“I feel very optimistic. I have faith, and I believe in this team,” said Wilson. “I feel like we’re gonna make a turnaround, it’s just a matter of time. Hopefully it’s now, but I believe we can still go as far as we believe we can.”

Head coach Mike O’Shea has seen no signs of discouragement from his troops and has been impressed with how they’ve handled their recent three-game losing skid.

“I think you’ve got to move on from the disappointment very quickly. Because there’s another game, another practice, another meeting, so, you’ve got to move on quickly,” said O’Shea.

“If you hang on to disappointment too long, you’re bound to repeat it. They bounce back pretty quickly. Nobody’s happy with where we’re at record wise. But they just know to keep working, find ways to win, play better, coach better, do everything better around here. So, it’s OK.”

The Bombers are on the road this week to challenge the Ottawa Redblacks (4-9) on Saturday (2 p.m. CT kickoff).

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca