Jamal Peters returns, Wynton McManis debuts for Hamilton Tiger-Cats against Bombers

Photo courtesy: Bob Butrym/RFB Sport Photography

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats will have a pair of All-CFL defenders back in the lineup when they face the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Sunday.

Cornerback Jamal Peters is slated to make his return after suffering an apparent head injury in the last meeting between these two teams in Week 3. The 29-year-old was taken off on a stretcher after receiving a blow to the helmet from Tommy Nield’s knee but was cleared by medical staff relatively quickly and has since made a full recovery.

The six-foot-two, 220-pound defender was named All-CFL in 2025 after recording 50 defensive tackles and six interceptions over 16 regular-season games. Over 68 career regular-season games, Peters has tallied 212 defensive tackles, four special teams tackles, 21 interceptions, two forced fumbles, and one sack, twice earning All-CFL honours.

Zamari Walton will move from boundary corner to the fieldside to make room for Peters, while Devodric Bynum has been placed on the reserve roster.

Veteran linebacker Wynton McManis is also slated to make his regular-season debut for the Tabbies after missing the first three games with a bone bruise in his knee. The prized free agent acquisition has played 100 regular-season CFL games over seven seasons with the Calgary Stampeders and Toronto Argonauts. He has recorded 390 defensive tackles, 52 special teams tackles, 16 sacks, nine interceptions, four forced fumbles, and three touchdowns, earning two All-CFL selections and winning three Grey Cups.

McManis is listed behind Canadian starter Ryan Baker on the depth chart, but has been designated as a nationalized American, which will allow him to replace a Canadian defensive lineman in sub packages, while also playing an unlimited number of snaps in place of weakside linebacker Braxton Hill. Rookie Jordan Crook has been demoted to the practice roster to make room.

The Ticats have made no other changes to their lineup, though Canadian defensive back Robert Panabaker (undisclosed) and Canadian defensive tackle Charbel Dabire (back) have both been listed as game-time decisions.

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2-1) will host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1-2) at Hamilton Stadium on Sunday, July 5, with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EDT. The Blue Bombers are coming off a 23-18 loss to the Edmonton Elks, while the Tiger-Cats were on bye.

The weather forecast in Hamilton calls for a high of 28 degrees and a 40 percent chance of rain. The game will be broadcast on TSN in Canada, CBS Sports Network in the United States, and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune in on 680 CJOB in Winnipeg or Ticats Audio Network in Hamilton.

Graphic courtesy: Hamilton Tiger-Cats