We are back to an arguably "must win" territory again. BC will come to play and get back into playoff contention and Winnipeg has to get back on track and keep above the .500 record to have any hope for the the playoffs.
The latest injury report is here...
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HOV-iosWIAA-LpG?format=jpg&name=900x900)
BC's 3rd string QB, Kaidon Salter, is likely to start and how the Bombers are able to control him will be one of the key indicators of this game.
Will the Bombers start the game with a state of urgency - something that has been desperately missing from previous games this season?
Many questions to be answered and Ed Tait's 48-Hour Primer gives some insight into what we can expect...
48 Hour Primer - BC at Winnipeg (http://"https://www.bluebombers.com/2026/07/28/48hour-primer-week-9-vs-b-c/https://www.bluebombers.com/2026/07/28/48hour-primer-week-9-vs-b-c/")
Winnipeg Blue Bombers QB Dru Brown is positioned to make his fourth consecutive start for Winnipeg. Zach Collaros has been out due to a neck/upper-body injury and was placed on the six-game injured list.
Great weather and a greater fan base expected so let's get it on for the Bombers.
Woodbey back and Vanterpool in are the only changes. Hopefully we've managed to both rest up a bit and can clean up the details through practice.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HOZtPepWkAEIeeI?format=jpg&name=large)
Nice to see Hallett is healthy enough to play. Never thought BO20 would be sitting out, especially with a buy week next week around the corner. I think it's smart to sit Broxton out for this one, with the bye week he will have a significant amount of time to get his knee healthy. Jackson out, Woodbey in is what I expected. Let's see what TC comes up with to help Vanterpool out and protect Brownie. Vanterpool and Kelly, need to step up and show they can start.
6 Nats starting on O, 1 on D.
Vanterpool listed as questionable scares me. We should have Poncius on the AR as well. The only options there would be Woodbey or Ayers, not sure the loss of one of those is worse than what happens if we lose an OT, and its going to be HOT.
Who is our emergency OL? It is Eli in at OG/C and Wallace out to OT, which we saw was not optimal, but what if we lose 2 OT? Daniels in at OG and Neuf to OT? Or does Elsbury move out?
Or do we have a Jake type on the Dline that comes over? Schmeckle?
If an OT goes down Eli has to come in, is there a reason for Wallace at OT instead of Elsbury?
Quote from: theaardvark on July 29, 2026, 04:43:03 PM6 Nats starting on O, 1 on D.
Vanterpool listed as questionable scares me. We should have Poncius on the AR as well. The only options there would be Woodbey or Ayers, not sure the loss of one of those is worse than what happens if we lose an OT, and its going to be HOT.
Who is our emergency OL? It is Eli in at OG/C and Wallace out to OT, which we saw was not optimal, but what if we lose 2 OT? Daniels in at OG and Neuf to OT? Or does Elsbury move out?
If an OT goes down Eli has to come in, is there a reason for Wallace at OT instead of Elsbury?
Vibert would have been the obvious choice as a backup. Not looking good, I thin he got more playing time last year as the 6th man.
I sense this is the Bombers comeback/blowout game, with the Boo Birds ringing in their ears from last week and a weakish opponent as their guests, the boys spring back to life and lay a whipping on the Lions, rejuvenating the PAS experience/advantage.
You'd have to think the Bombers' D is licking its chops for tomorrow's game. The secondary could sure use a solid performance and what better opportunity than this.
Brown needs a redemption game after last week's debacle.
Not sure I feel comfortable with Eli as the only back-up OL, especially with 9 LBs on the AR.
Quote from: Jesse on July 29, 2026, 05:56:26 PMNot sure I feel comfortable with Eli as the only back-up OL, especially with 9 LBs on the AR.
Jake Thomas was the emergency guy and he actually went in a couple times, not sure who is now. Pray it doesn't come to that.
Quote from: Waffler on July 29, 2026, 06:04:01 PMJake Thomas was the emergency guy and he actually went in a couple times, not sure who is now. Pray it doesn't come to that.
Kornelson and Schmekel.
Check the depth chart. They have numbers beside their names in brackets.
Those are their jersey numbers if they have to play on the Oline.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HOaeSMDWIAASP6i?format=jpg&name=large)
Quote from: theaardvark on July 29, 2026, 04:43:03 PM6 Nats starting on O, 1 on D.
Vanterpool listed as questionable scares me.
Who is our emergency OL? It is Eli in at OG/C and Wallace out to OT, which we saw was not optimal, but what if we lose 2 OT? Daniels in at OG and Neuf to OT? Or does Elsbury move out?
Vanterpool is coming off the 6-game injured list this week. The best status he can get is questionable. He is not listed as a GTD so all is well. Darrin Bauming & Jeff Hamilton have discussed this in the past.
You just have to look at the depth chart to see who the emergency O-linemen are. Kornelson (60) & Schmekel (57) are the guys.
Hagerty to safety and Findlay to NKL. Hagerty was with us last year in TC. He has good size and speed.
Jarell Broxton out for Winnipeg Blue Bombers against B.C. Lions
by 3Down Staff July 29, 2026
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will be without Jarell Broxton when they host the B.C. Lions on Thursday night. The team released its official depth chart on Wednesday morning.
The 33-year-old suffered a knee injury during the second quarter of last week's loss to the Calgary Stampeders and did not return to the game. He was a non-participant in practice on Monday and a limited participant on Tuesday.
Broxton was listed as questionable on the team's official injury report, and has now been moved to the one-game injured list.
The six-foot-four, 331-pound blocker started Winnipeg's first seven games at right tackle. He became one of the CFL's highest-paid offensive linemen in February when he signed a two-year contract with the team in free agency.
Broxton was named All-CFL with B.C. in 2025. This would have been his first regular-season matchup against his former team.
The veteran blocker will be replaced by Micah Vanterpool in what will be his 2026 regular-season debut. The University of Hawaii product joined the Blue Bombers in 2024 and has since played eight regular-season games, making three starts at left guard and three starts at left tackle.
The club has allowed 14 sacks so far this season, which ranks sixth in the CFL.
Winnipeg will also have linebacker Jaiden Woodbey in the lineup for the first time since Week 1.
The 26-year-old native of Fontana, Calif. played eight regular-season games in a depth role last season, recording 30 defensive tackles and one special teams tackle. He made four defensive tackles against the Calgary Stampeders in this year's season-opener before being placed on the six-game injured list.
In a corresponding move, the team has placed rookie defensive back Matthew Jackson on the practice roster. The former NFL player made three special teams tackles in his CFL debut last week but also took a penalty for unnecessary roughness.
Dru Brown will officially make his fourth-straight start at quarterback, as Zach Collaros remains on the six-game injured list. The 29-year-old has thrown for 905 yards, four touchdowns, and five interceptions over three games with the Blue Bombers this year, going 2-1 as a starter.
Brady Oliveira and Nic Demski will both play after officially being listed as questionable. Oliveira did not practice this week due to a knee injury, while Demski missed one practice day due to an ankle injury.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers (4-3) will host the B.C. Lions (1-5) at Princess Auto Stadium on Thursday, July 30 with kickoff scheduled for 8:30 p.m. EDT. The Lions lost a one-sided game to the Toronto Argonauts last week, while the Blue Bombers suffered a blowout defeat to the Calgary Stampeders.
The weather forecast in Winnipeg calls for a high of 30 degrees and a mix of sun and cloud. The game will be broadcast on TSN and RDS in Canada and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune in on 730 CKNW (English) or Sher-E-Punjab Radio AM 600 (Punjabi) in Vancouver or 680 CJOB in Winnipeg.
https://3downnation.com/2026/07/29/jarell-broxton-out-for-winnipeg-blue-bombers-against-b-c-lions/
B.C. Lions swap-in six new starters against Winnipeg Blue Bombers
by 3Down Staff July 29, 2026
The B.C. Lions will have six new players in the starting lineup for their game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Thursday night. The team issued its official depth on Wednesday.
As reported on Monday, rookie Kaidon Salter will start at quarterback.
The 23-year-old finished his collegiate career at the University of Colorado in 2025, replacing Shedeur Sanders as the team's starter. He went 3-6, completing 62.3 percent of his passes for 1,414 yards, 10 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He also rushed for 356 yards and five scores.
The six-foot-one, 195-pound passer played in relief of Chase Brice during the fourth quarter of B.C.'s 26-12 loss to the Toronto Argonauts last week. He completed nine-of-fifteen pass attempts for 121 yards, and rushed four times for 12 yards.
Nathan Rourke, the team's franchise quarterback, remains on the reserve roster. He was a limited participant in practice on Monday due to a shoulder injury, then a non-participant in practice on Tuesday.
B.C.'s three other changes to the starting lineup on offence include Emani Bailey at running back, Anu Una at left guard, and Tyran Walker-Hunt at right tackle.
Bailey helped Texas Christian University reach the National Championship Game in 2022, and was named All-Big 12 in 2023. The five-foot-seven, 202-pound ball-carrier rushed for 1,459 yards, caught 32 passes for 227 yards, and scored 11 touchdowns over 24 games with the Horned Frogs.
The native of Dallas, Texas had stints with the Kansas City Chiefs and Carolina Panthers prior to joining the Lions this offseason. He will start in place of James Butler, who has been placed on the reserve roster. The veteran ball-carrier was listed as questionable for Thursday's game due to a foot injury that limited him in practice this week.
Una has taken over at left guard from Brandon Yates, who has been placed on the one-game injured list with a foot injury. Una, who was taken in the first round of the 2024 CFL Draft out of the University of Windsor, started nine regular-season games at right guard in 2025 but was moved to a depth role this year.
Walker-Hunt has replaced Joshua Donovan, who has been moved to the six-game injured list after injuring his knee last week.
Walker-Hunt had a stint with the Lions last year but didn't see any regular-season action. The six-foot-six, 310-pound blocker has previously been a member of the IFL's Frisco Fighters and UFL's San Antonio Brahmas and Memphis Showboats. This will be his first career CFL game.
The Lions also have two new starters on defence, including Colby Taylor at defensive end and Josh Hagerty at safety.
Taylor attended rookie mini-camps with the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs after going unselected in the 2026 NFL Draft. The six-foot-three, 260-pound defender finished his collegiate career at West Florida in 2025, where he made eight tackles, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery over 11 games.
The 25-year-old will start in place of Hayden Harris, who has been moved to a depth role behind Mathieu Betts.
Hagerty will start at safety in place of Jackson Findlay, who has been moved to strong-side linebacker in place of Deontai Williams. Williams remains in the starting lineup, though he will play boundary halfback in place of T.J. Lee III, who has been placed on the one-game injured list due to a thigh injury.
Hagerty made one previous start this year, which came in the team's 36-24 win over the Edmonton Elks earlier this month. The 28-year-old native of Regina, Sask. has recorded 29 defensive tackles, 34 special teams tackles, and one forced fumble over 62 career regular-season CFL games with the Toronto Argonauts, Edmonton Elks, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and Lions.
Canadian offensive linemen Andrew Peirson and Alex Berwick have been promoted to the active roster in depth roles. Former CFL award-winner Lorenzo Mauldin IV, who came out of retirement to sign with the Lions this past week, will also dress as a backup.
B.C. has also moved first-round 2026 CFL Draft pick Nate DeMontagnac from the six-game injured list to the disabled list.
The B.C. Lions (1-5) will visit the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (4-3) at Princess Auto Stadium on Thursday, July 30 with kickoff scheduled for 8:30 p.m. EDT. The Lions lost a one-sided game to the Toronto Argonauts last week, while the Blue Bombers suffered a blowout defeat to the Calgary Stampeders.
The weather forecast in Winnipeg calls for a high of 30 degrees and a mix of sun and cloud. The game will be broadcast on TSN and RDS in Canada and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune in on 730 CKNW (English) or Sher-E-Punjab Radio AM 600 (Punjabi) in Vancouver or 680 CJOB in Winnipeg.
https://3downnation.com/2026/07/29/b-c-lions-swap-in-six-new-starters-against-winnipeg-blue-bombers/
Quote from: blue_gold_84 on July 29, 2026, 05:32:30 PMYou'd have to think the Bombers' D is licking its chops for tomorrow's game. The secondary could sure use a solid performance and what better opportunity than this.
Brown needs a redemption game after last week's debacle.
Yes, I hope he's much smarter with the ball.
BC with a new QB that is somewhat mobile does scare me somewhat as we never do well against a QB that has a good set of wheels. Rookie QB's seem to feast on Bomber Defenses at times.!
" Anu Una"
Palindrome.
Could be a cfl first.
If Kelly is struggling to start (hope he has another impactful game)...
Can we get Griffin to play safety, and Smith and Shay to take over Griffin's position?
There won't be a better chance than this for one of them to get a start. While Kramdi is out, someone NEEDS to step up!
Quote from: Jesse on July 29, 2026, 05:56:26 PMNot sure I feel comfortable with Eli as the only back-up OL, especially with 9 LBs on the AR.
Yes, it's going be another hot day tomorrow. Would have liked another OL on the AR.
In a couple weeks Woodbey will be making a difference each game. Really positive he is coming on. Clercius will slowly get better and up to game speed.
Get the oline healthy, Brady cooking and our leader back and we shall be fine.
1st step stump z lions, next step survive a tough part of schedule
Quote from: Pigskin on July 29, 2026, 08:57:46 PMYes, it's going be another hot day tomorrow. Would have liked another OL on the AR.
Seems perfectly logical to me. Common sense.
You want to talk about chops-licking, look at betts on vant. Ouch, forget the "blindside", certain death is coming from the right side. Hope we put Daniels or Brady there to help out.
I see Dixon has now been extended on 6 game IR. Considering he was practising at " full " leaves a " huh" feeling about that.
Quote from: Blueforlife on July 29, 2026, 11:13:52 PMIn a couple weeks Woodbey will be making a difference each game. Really positive he is coming on. Clercius will slowly get better and up to game speed.
Get the oline healthy, Brady cooking and our leader back and we shall be fine.
1st step stump z lions, next step survive a tough part of schedule
I'm looking forward to seeing what Woodbey can do tomorrow. Clercius should get a few more reps and could be a benefit blocking on the right side of the OL.
Quote from: Blue In BC on Today at 12:19:12 AMI'm looking forward to seeing what Woodbey can do tomorrow. Clercius should get a few more reps and could be a benefit blocking on the right side of the OL.
Key cogs. Woodbey will get up to speed in a couple of weeks and if his injury hasn't slowed down will be a star one day.
That blocking will be key.
Quote from: Tecno on July 29, 2026, 11:55:15 PMYou want to talk about chops-licking, look at betts on vant. Ouch, forget the "blindside", certain death is coming from the right side. Hope we put Daniels or Brady there to help out.
I dunno, did you see Stanley's brutal performance last game, knocked flat on his backside by Hutchins, and Hicks blew by him so fast he had sunburn. He was awful. Either way you look at it, both our tackles will be suspect and pain is coming Brown's way, I just hope he doesn't get injured as then the tide turns to BC's favour.
Quote from: dd on Today at 01:57:07 AMI dunno, did you see Stanley's brutal performance last game, knocked flat on his backside by Hutchins, and Hicks blew by him so fast he had sunburn. He was awful. Either way you look at it, both our tackles will be suspect and pain is coming Brown's way, I just hope he doesn't get injured as then the tide turns to BC's favour.
Lucky for us Taylor & Tavai aren't Hicks & Hutchings! Stan should have a better game. Remember, Vant wasn't even good enough last year to beat out Rand at RT...
Quote from: Tecno on Today at 02:08:56 AMLucky for us Taylor & Tavai aren't Hicks & Hutchings! Stan should have a better game. Remember, Vant wasn't even good enough last year to beat out Rand at RT...
Maybe so, but I bet he wouldn't get pancaked by Hutchins, that was down right ugly from your LT
Quote from: Tecno on July 29, 2026, 11:55:15 PMYou want to talk about chops-licking, look at betts on vant. Ouch, forget the "blindside", certain death is coming from the right side. Hope we put Daniels or Brady there to help out.
I see Casey Sayles was added back to the Lions AR yesterday, for sure he's going to want to get in on the fun.
Gadzooks, BC introducing rookie running back Emani Bailey a 5'-7" 200 lb bowling ball with breakaway speed, the postgame storyline better not be comparing him to Charlie or Mack Herron. Bombers have a long history of having trouble containing surprise players, especially RB's.
BB should take this game but anything is possible...
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on Today at 05:56:11 AMBombers have a long history of having trouble containing surprise players, especially RB's.
It's actually comical. We suck when we plan around the opponent, because they'll just do something we don't expect. Then we also suck when we face brand new players like noname qbs and rbs!
Hmm, maybe one must conclude...