Jostling for roster spots

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This article was published 15/05/2025 (234 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Injury bug

The injury bug has taken its first notable bite of Winnipeg Blue Bombers training camp.

Its victim: running back Peyton Logan.

Logan, who signed with the Blue and Gold this off-season after spending the first three years of his CFL career with the Calgary Stampeders, left midway through Wednesday’s session and later returned to the field wearing street clothes and with a noticeable limp.

He was favouring his left leg and head coach Mike O’Shea couldn’t offer much detail after practice.

“I don’t have an update on that. I’ll have to talk to (head athletic therapist) Al (Couture),” he said.

Logan was a significant signing for the Bombers, who were in the market for someone to complement Brady Oliveira after letting Johnny Augustine hit free agency. The 5-8, 190-pound back has been an effective change-of-pace option in his career, doing damage as a runner, pass-catcher and returner.

His absence figures to provide more opportunities for Canadian rookie Matthew Peterson, while Michael Chris-Ike and Quinton Cooley will also see an uptick in reps.

Seven players released

Quarterback Shea Patterson headlined the latest cuts made by Winnipeg, which were announced Wednesday.

The 28-year-old American pivot inked a deal with the Blue and Gold this off-season, marking the latest stop in a career that included a brief stint with Montreal in 2021 before spending the last two seasons in Saskatchewan.

He started seven games last season, going 2-4-1 over that stretch while tossing for 1,655 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions. One of his wins came against the Bombers.

Patterson was thought to battle Terry Wilson to be the third quarterback on the Bombers’ roster, but he didn’t make it to see the first pre-season game.

Simply put, Patterson became the odd-man out in a loaded quarterback room, which still includes Zach Collaros, Chris Streveler, Wilson and rookie Chase Artopoeus. University of Manitoba Bisons quarterback Cole Anseeuw (not under contract) is also getting snaps as a member of the CFL’s internship program.

“We had a full room. It was tough to spread out all the reps,” said O’Shea. “But with a full room, with Streveler flying around out there and with Terry looking like he’s improved… how do you give everyone reps up until the first pre-season (game)? It just wasn’t going to work.”

Teams were required to reduce their rosters to 75 players plus non-counters by Tuesday night.

The Bombers also released American defensive end Ryan Johnson, American defensive backs Patrick Rogers and Marcus Hillman, American offensive lineman Austin Euler, American kicker Andrew Mevis and American receiver Scott Brown.

— Joshua Frey-Sam