Brown steps in as starting quarterback
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are set to start Dru Brown at quarterback for their upcoming game against the Toronto Argonauts. This decision comes after starting quarterback Zach Collaros did not complete Sunday’s 14-13 victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Collaros sustained a neck injury after being sacked by Reggie Stubblefield and subsequently missed Wednesday’s practice.
Head coach Mike O’Shea confirmed the decision to start Brown on Thursday morning, allowing Collaros as much time as possible to be cleared to play. Brown was acquired by the Blue Bombers in a trade with the Ottawa RedBlacks 16 days prior to this announcement, a move that now appears timely given Collaros’s injury.
Brown’s experience and return to Winnipeg
Brown’s upcoming start for the Blue Bombers marks his first on home soil for the team. He expressed excitement about the opportunity, noting the supportive environment at Princess Auto Stadium. Brown has a career record of 12-14-1, including a 2-1 record in starts for the Blue Bombers. His last start for Winnipeg was at the end of the 2023 season in Calgary, where he led the team to a 36-13 win, completing 13 of 17 passes for 278 yards and throwing touchdown passes to Rasheed Bailey and Brendan O’Leary-Orange.
After his previous tenure with the Blue Bombers, Brown played for the RedBlacks, helping them achieve a playoff berth in 2024. He was 2-7 last year while dealing with injuries. Ottawa underwent a change in leadership, with new general manager and head coach Ryan Dinwiddie committing to Jake Maier after one preseason game, which occurred before Brown had thrown a pass. Brown stated he is fully committed to his current role with the Blue Bombers.
Collaros, who was replaced by rookie Taylor Elgersma in the game against Hamilton, will be moved to the one-game injured list. Elgersma played a role in securing the win, completing 11 of 15 passes for 86 yards and a touchdown. However, with Brown, the team gains an experienced starter.
Matchup against the Argonauts
The Blue Bombers, with a 2-2 record, will face the Argonauts, who also hold a 2-2 record. The game is scheduled for Friday at 7:30 p.m. CDT at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg. The Argonauts are coming off a 58-36 defeat against the Calgary Stampeders in Week 5, while Winnipeg secured a narrow 14-13 victory over Hamilton.
The Argonauts’ quarterback, Chad Kelly, has had a strong start to the season, throwing for 1,484 yards and 12 touchdowns, including 12 completions of 30 yards or more. He has also surpassed the 300-yard mark in three of his four appearances, with one performance reaching 445 yards. However, Kelly has also thrown eight interceptions this season, which is a league high. Blue Bombers defensive tackle Jake Ceresna acknowledged Kelly’s talent, describing him as a great player with a strong arm and good pocket mobility, making him a dual threat with his rushing ability.
The Blue Bombers’ offence has shown mixed results through four games, ranking last in offensive points, net offence, and passing yards, and tied for last with six passing touchdowns. The team has also recorded only two pass plays of 30 yards or more. Receiver Nic Demski emphasized the need for the offence to get on the same page and create more explosive plays while also prioritizing ball security.
Defensively, the Argonauts have struggled with their pass defence, surrendering over 400 yards in the air in three of their four games. The Blue Bombers’ defence, on the other hand, held Hamilton’s offence scoreless in the second half of their last game. However, Winnipeg’s secondary ranks last in pass knockdowns after five weeks, and they have only one interception, recorded by defensive back Major Williams. The team will be looking to improve these numbers against Kelly.
The Blue Bombers are also looking to improve their home record, having lost their first two home games of 2026. Running back Brady Oliveira stated that the team has high standards and needs to get back into the win column at home for their fans. The game will be broadcast on TSN, RDS, and CFL+, with radio coverage on 680 CJOB.
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Source: bluebombers.com
As CasinoNews's Sports News Writer, Mason Leclair reports on the CFL, golf and combat sports for readers across the country. He moved from regional papers into digital sport. He holds a degree in Journalism from Carleton University. Mason lives in Ottawa, where he follows the PGA Tour and mixed martial arts. “Get the facts down first, then add the context.”
