Official: Zach Collaros to start for Winnipeg Blue Bombers against Ottawa

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The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have officially named Zach Collaros as their starting quarterback for Friday’s game against the Ottawa Redblacks. The team issued its official depth chart on Thursday.

The soon-to-be 38-year-old missed Winnipeg’s last four games with a neck injury. Collaros returned to practice this week, where he attributed the absence to a combination of physical limitation and an abundance of caution. He also described the injury as “whiplash.”

The six-foot-one, 218-pound passer has completed 71.8 percent of his passes for 985 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions through four starts this season, posting a 2-2 record.

Dru Brown has been listed as the backup behind Collaros, while Bryce Perkins remains in the third-string role as Winnipeg’s short-yardage quarterback. Canadian backup Taylor Elgersma, who has played twice this season in a relief role, has been placed on the reserve roster.

Star running back Brady Oliveira has been listed as a game-time decision due to an ankle injury.

According to the team’s official injury report, the Winnipeg native was a limited participant on Monday and a non-participant on Wednesday. The 28-year-old has rushed for 658 yards, caught 20 passes for 135 yards, and scored four touchdowns this season.

If Oliveira were unable to play, it’s likely that Michael Chris-Ike would start in his place with Matthew Peterson being elevated from the practice roster to serve as his backup.

Jarell Broxton has returned from the knee injury that kept him out of the team’s loss to the B.C. Lions two weeks ago. He will start at right tackle. Micah Vanterpool, who started in Broxton’s place against the Lions, has been moved to the reserve roster alongside Elgersma.

Cameron Lawson has returned from a hip injury to start at nose tackle. The six-foot-three, 290-pound defender made five defensive tackles over Winnipeg’s first five games. Over 68 career regular-season CFL games with the Montreal Alouettes and Blue Bombers, he has made 46 defensive tackles, seven sacks, one interception, and one forced fumble.

Michael Griffin II has been placed on the six-game injured list due to an ankle injury. The veteran defensive back has been Winnipeg’s full-time starter at strong-side linebacker this season, recording 35 defensive tackles, one special teams tackle, and one forced fumble.

The 28-year-old has played 49 career regular-season CFL games with the Calgary Stampeders and Blue Bombers, tallying 135 defensive tackles, 31 special teams tackles, three sacks, one forced fumble, and one touchdown.

Jaylen Smith will start in place of Griffin II, giving the Blue Bombers nine Canadian starters. The 24-year-old native of Hamilton, Ont. was a second-round pick in the 2025 CFL Draft and has since recorded 17 defensive tackles and 25 special teams tackles. This will be his first career CFL start.

Brody Clark, the team’s fifth-round pick in the 2026 CFL Draft, has been activated from the six-game injured list to dress in a depth role at linebacker. The same is true for Dylan Hazen, a rookie out of Wake Forest University, who has been promoted from the practice roster.

Lane Novak, who dressed for the club’s last two games after returning from a knee injury, has been placed on the practice roster. Winnipeg also announced two releases on Wednesday, cutting Canadian defensive lineman Collin Kornelson and American defensive back Matthew Jackson.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers (4-4) will host the Ottawa Redblacks (0-8) at Princess Auto Stadium on Friday, August 14 with kickoff scheduled for 8:30 p.m. EDT. The Redblacks suffered a 42-20 loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders last week, while the Blue Bombers were on bye.

The weather forecast in Winnipeg calls for 23 degrees with a mix of sun and cloud. The game will be broadcast on TSN and RDS2 in Canada and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune-in on TSN 1200 in Ottawa or 680 CJOB in Winnipeg.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers

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John Hodge is a longtime Canadian football reporter, insider, and podcaster for 3DownNation. Based in Winnipeg, Hodge is also a freelance television and radio broadcaster and curling reporter for Rock Channel.