Schoen ready to shine Having dynamic receiver back like having another QB in the huddle: Oliveira By: Jeff Hamilton Posted: 6:12 PM CDT Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025

Dalton Schoen returning to practice Tuesday provided a lifeline for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, with the dynamic receiver aiming to make his comeback from a knee injury just in time for the annual Labour Day Classic in Regina on Sunday.

After concluding his stint on the six-game injured list, Schoen brings a much-needed boost to Winnipeg’s offensive attack and, with his explosive talent and playmaking ability, should immediately alleviate a potential crisis at the position.

“It’s always hard not being out there, being forced to watch from the sidelines,” Schoen said. “You try to help out where you can or talk through things with guys who are going to be out there in your spot. But it’s obviously never easy watching.”

Schoen’s journey back has been a long and frustrating one. It’s his second straight season hampered by a knee injury — a cruel twist of fate for a player who, in his first two years, was arguably the most productive receiver in the league.

Schoen admitted the time away was difficult, both physically and mentally, but credited his teammates for keeping him motivated and the medical staff for helping him heal. While he wouldn’t discuss any details about the injury — including whether it was related to his prior knee issue — he did perform well working with the first-team offence.

“I’ve had time to work through the rehab process and strengthen the body and do all those things off the field,” Schoen said. “As a pro, when you’re not out there playing, your daily schedule is a little bit different. Our training staff is great here, and so we all trust them to take us down the right path and get us where we need to be.”

Schoen’s absence this year has been especially difficult for a team that made a calculated risk in the off-season — opting to prioritize the more cost-effective Schoen over the more expensive option in Kenny Lawler. It hasn’t helped that Lawler is thriving with the first place Hamilton Tiger-Cats this season, setting a new career high with eight touchdowns in just 10 games.

Meanwhile, Schoen has just one touchdown in four games this year, following a 2024 regular season where he didn’t have any after being limited to just three games. Before the injury-plagued seasons, though, Schoen’s production was on a historic pace.

In his rookie campaign in 2022, he led the CFL with 1,441 receiving yards while tying for the league lead in touchdowns with 16. He followed that up with another stellar season in 2023, racking up hauling 1,222 receiving yard and hauling in 10 touchdowns — numbers that solidified his place as a star in the CFL.

“It’s no secret how much I appreciate Dalton and what he does for our team and offence,” quarterback Zach Collaros said. “If he’s on the field, it helps us tremendously.”

“I’ve had time to work through the rehab process and strengthen the body and do all those things off the field.”–Dalton Schoen

More than the added yards and touchdowns, it’s his high football IQ that’s been sorely missed. At just 28 years old, Schoen is expected to bounce back to his elite level of play.

Running back Brady Oliveira said Schoen is like having another quarterback in the huddle.

“He’s a stud,” Oliveira said. “Not only that, he does everything right. With us having some younger guys in the lineup at receiver still trying to learn this offence… he can communicate with the other receivers to make sure everyone’s lined up and in the right spot.”

The fact that the team has been able to stay competitive — improving to 6-4 with the win over Montreal last week — while Schoen has been sidelined is a testament to their resilience. But make no mistake, Schoen’s absence has been felt, especially in the second half of games when the attack has gone dry.

That’s what makes the timing of his return so perfect.

While it was a much-needed victory over the Alouettes, it came at a significant cost. Both Nic Demski and Jerreth Sterns left the game with injuries, with Demski seemingly a game-time decision as he watches practice and Sterns already ruled out of Sunday’s annual clash with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

While there is cautious optimism for Demski’s availability, Sterns could potentially be out for weeks. The Bombers, suddenly facing a gaping void in their receiving corps, have moved quickly to fill the holes.

“He does everything right. With us having some younger guys in the lineup at receiver still trying to learn this offence… he can communicate with the other receivers to make sure everyone’s lined up and in the right spot.”–Brady Oliviera

On Monday, the Bombers signed two veteran receivers to their practice roster, adding Kyran Moore and Cam Echols. The hope is that their experience and talent will help the club hit the ground running.

“We expect them, as pros, they’re going to learn the system,” head coach Mike O’Shea said. “Because they’ve been in the CFL, we believe they’re going to learn it fast, and then we’ll see what they can do. When you have to bring people in mid-season, you need to bring in pros.”

Moore, 28, is a proven threat with five seasons under his belt, including 2023 with the Edmonton Elks, where he finished with 69 catches for 743 yards and four touchdowns. He also returns from a knee injury that sidelined him all of 2024, giving him a shared sense of determination with Schoen.

Echols, 30, adds another layer of versatility. He spent last year with the Calgary Stampeders — putting up 363 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 12 games — and preceded that with four years in the USFL.

Both are eager to make their mark.

“I’m just grateful to be back out here,” Moore said. “Missing that year of not playing football and watching for a majority of this season, it was tough.”

“I would just love to build chemistry and trust,” Echols added. “Hopefully, in due time, God willing, my number is called and I can continue doing what I’ve done my whole life, and that’s produce.”

As the team prepares to face their Prairie rivals in a game that always carries added significance, the picture at receiver is suddenly looking much better. The return of Schoen, along with the additions of Moore and Echols, should help Collaros and the offence build off last week’s victory in what will be a critical two points in the standings.

The Bombers (6-4) currently trail the league-leading Roughriders (8-2) by four points for first place in the West Division. A win on a Sunday would help close the gap, with a lot of the club’s success resting on what they can do on offence against the Riders’ league-leading defence.

“When you watch their games, you can see when they really take the football game over, the defensive line,” Collaros said. “It’s going to be important to stay out of those situations where they can really pin their ears back and create sacks and create turnovers, because those are huge momentum swings in the game.”

Jeff.Hamilton@freepress.mb.ca