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The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will start backup quarterback Dru Brown on Friday night when they host the Toronto Argonauts, with starter Zach Collaros still sidelined by a head injury. Brown steps in for his fifth start since joining the team in a late June trade with the Ottawa Redblacks.
Collaros suffered the head injury during a September 12 win over Saskatchewan. The 38-year-old threw an interception and then fell while trying to push a Roughriders defender out of bounds along the sideline. Earlier this season, he also missed four consecutive games with a neck injury.
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In relief of Collaros, Brown went 2-2, throwing for 1,148 yards with five touchdowns and five interceptions. He enters Friday’s game with the full confidence of his teammates.
Teammates Back Brown Ahead of Start
Veteran left tackle Stanley Bryant said he expects little drop-off with Brown under centre. “I don’t think it’ll be a big difference,” Bryant said after Thursday’s walk-through practice. “Mentally those guys have the same mentality. They want to go out there and win and have the big plays.”
Running back Brady Oliveira also expressed confidence in the backup quarterback. “He’s had an amazing week of prep and usually that translates to game day,” Oliveira said. “I’m really excited for him to command the offence, and hopefully we can go out there and score a lot of points.”
Brown said he suspected heading into the team’s bye week that he might return as starter. However, he used the break to rest and recharge. “I always try to be prepared if the team needs me,” he said. “A bye is where you can handle things body-wise and mentally kind of get away a little bit.”
Bryce Perkins will serve as Brown’s backup on Friday. Canadian Taylor Elgersma sits third on the depth chart.
Argonauts Bring Strong Defence and Momentum
Toronto arrives in Winnipeg riding a three-game winning streak and sitting at 8-6 on the season. The Argonauts’ defence leads the CFL with 33 sacks and has recorded at least two sacks in nine consecutive games. In contrast, Winnipeg has surrendered 32 sacks, tying them with Calgary for last in that category.
Last weekend, Toronto defeated the West Division-leading Edmonton Elks 24-19. Defensive back Tarvarus McFadden sealed the win with an interception with just 19 seconds remaining, ending an Elks comeback attempt. However, McFadden will miss Friday’s game with a hand injury.
The victory also clinched a home playoff berth for Toronto, despite some unusual offensive numbers. The Argonauts controlled the ball for only 21 minutes and 15 seconds, ran 37 fewer offensive plays than Edmonton, converted just six second downs, and rushed for a net total of minus-one yard. The only other team in the past 60 years to rush for negative yards and still win was the Birmingham Barracudas in 1995, who managed minus-two rushing yards.
Linebacker Adarius Pickett stood out on defence against Edmonton, recording a season-high 13 defensive tackles — matching his career best — while also adding one sack and one pass knockdown. His performance earned him a spot among the CFL’s top three players of the week.
Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly leads the league with 4,777 passing yards. He also tops the CFL with 31 touchdown passes, though he has also thrown 22 interceptions.
Bombers Fight to Stay Alive in Tight West Division
Winnipeg rookie cornerback Major Williams has one interception this season and is watching Kelly closely. “Chad tends to break the pocket and extend plays with his legs and throws up balls to give his guys a great opportunity,” Williams said. “I think a lot of those are 50-50, so they can go both ways.”
The Blue Bombers currently sit fourth in the West Division at 7-6. Edmonton leads at 10-4, followed by Saskatchewan at 8-5. Winnipeg is tied with the B.C. Lions at 7-6 and sits just ahead of Calgary at 6-8. The Lions host the Riders in the late Friday game, adding further stakes to the evening’s results.
Despite the pressure, Oliveira said the Bombers control their own destiny. “We’ve got to really focus on your daily work and then put that into work on game day and then let the chips fall where they may,” he said. “The West is crazy right now, that’s for sure.”
