Another huge game in a series of huge games. The importance of stringing together some wins is crucial for the Bombers. They remain in the hunt for the playoffs but need to stay ahead Calgary, Ottawa and Hamilton.
Ed Tait's 48-Primer featuring Pat Neufeld sets the stage for the Saskatchewan game...
48 Hour Primer | Neufeld's Long Journey (http://"https://bluebombers.com/article/the-long-read-neufeld")
The injury list remains lengthy with Brady Olivier, Nic Demski, Nichols listed as Questionable: Moxey and Hazen as
Doubtful and Kramdi and Clark as Out.
Clearly a win in Regina followed by a win in the 'Peg would go a long way to building more confidence for the team. Coming off the solid win against the Als should continue to build that confidence.
Go Bombers!
If Collaros and the offence can get hot, watch out. If our defence keeps giving up big passing and running plays to Harris, it's game over very quickly.
Ed Tait
No Nic Demski for the @Wpg_BlueBombers tomorrow. Dorian Singer will start in his place.
Deatrick Nichols returns and Trey Vaval starts at CB for Jonathan Moxey
Clark and Hazen are also out.
Peterson and Bouliane are in.
Wow, this is all nuts! Demski is a rider killer, and will be sorely missed. Hopefully he's doing it to be ready for the BB.
Peterson is a strange move. We'll essentially have 3 RB rostered instead of the usual 2. Is this a hint that Brady might be more iffy than usual? Might we see some platooning? Or is Peterson really the best next man up STer?
So we are plus 2 on o this week, which is a very unusual change. And plus 1 on the imp o ratio. Are we only starting 8 nats then?
Glad Kramdi is getting the full 6 weeks. Love that sms savings. With major and vaval, are we really riding with 2 "rookie" corners? Crazy. Good thing Trevor almost never throws deep.
Everyone excited to see what singer can do for the first time.
Quote from: ModAdmin on September 05, 2026, 01:18:18 AMAnother huge game in a series of huge games. The importance of stringing together some wins is crucial for the Bombers. They remain in the hunt for the playoffs but need to stay ahead Calgary, Ottawa and Hamilton.
Ed Tait's 48-Primer featuring Pat Neufeld sets the stage for the Saskatchewan game...
48 Hour Primer | Neufeld's Long Journey (http://\"http//%5C"https://bluebombers.com/article/the-long-read-neufeld%5C"%5C")
The injury list remains lengthy with Brady Olivier, Nic Demski, Nichols listed as Questionable: Moxey and Hazen as
Doubtful and Kramdi and Clark as Out.
Clearly a win in Regina followed by a win in the 'Peg would go a long way to building more confidence for the team. Coming off the solid win against the Als should continue to build that confidence.
Go Bombers!
Nuef's article sounds like he might not be back next year. I think I'd still want him back, but more as an extra & as a mentor.
Also, I love your 2 wins optimism!
Quote from: Tecno on September 05, 2026, 02:26:48 PMWow, this is all nuts! Demski is a rider killer, and will be sorely missed. Hopefully he's doing it to be ready for the BB.
Peterson is a strange move. We'll essentially have 3 RB rostered instead of the usual 2. Is this a hint that Brady might be more iffy than usual? Might we see some platooning? Or is Peterson really the best next man up STer?
So we are plus 2 on o this week, which is a very unusual change. And plus 1 on the imp o ratio. Are we only starting 8 nats then?
Glad Kramdi is getting the full 6 weeks. Love that sms savings. With major and vaval, are we really riding with 2 "rookie" corners? Crazy. Good thing Trevor almost never throws deep.
Everyone excited to see what singer can do for the first time.
Peterson might be the returner, considering Vaval is starting
Quote from: BomberFan73 on September 05, 2026, 02:29:49 PMPeterson might be the returner, considering Vaval is starting
That's gonna blow! Hope not.
Hmmmm. That's more changes than I expected but it is what it is. 3 players to 6 game IR with no real insight as to how long they will be there.
The time is now to bring some new faces onto the PR as depth is taking a beating. That may not mean not using the expanded PR yet, but there is room for some new faces.
Losing Demski is going to hurt but we'll get a chance to see what Singer can do.
Quote from: Tecno on September 05, 2026, 02:42:25 PMThat's gonna blow! Hope not.
I imagine Peterson will platoon with Vaval & Singer too.
Vaval would not be as effective returning every kick if he's starting on D.
Singer is in for Demski too. Interesting lineup this week.
Quote from: BomberFan73 on September 05, 2026, 03:04:46 PMI imagine Peterson will platoon with Vaval & Singer too.
Vaval would not be as effective returning every kick if he's starting on D.
Normally on 2 returner sets its vaval with Ike. One would think if anyone is going to get the sole return spot it's Ike.
However, if singer has shown any promise at return in tc and practice, maybe he gets a couple of tries.
Quote from: Tecno on September 05, 2026, 03:12:16 PMNormally on 2 returner sets its vaval with Ike. One would think if anyone is going to get the sole return spot it's Ike.
However, if singer has shown any promise at return in tc and practice, maybe he gets a couple of tries.
Ike is more a blocker though, I don't see his role changing much. I'd guess he'd get some returns tomorrow, but it'll likely be by committee.
Darrin Bauming @DarrinBauming
#Bombers CHANGES...
• Demski (ankle, 1-Game IL) is out — receiver Dorian Singer makes his CFL debut.
• At DB; Nichols returns, but Moxey (groin, 6-Game IL) is out, so Texada stays on and Vaval starts again but shifts over to field corner.
• RB Matthew Peterson comes on to back-up Oliveira.
• LB/Edge Dylan Hazen (groin) placed on 6-Game IL — appeared to happen in practice this week.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HRdnc76bwAA-LcK?format=jpg&name=large)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HRdnc7IWcAs7NhU?format=jpg&name=small)
Quote from: Tecno on September 05, 2026, 03:12:16 PMNormally on 2 returner sets its vaval with Ike. One would think if anyone is going to get the sole return spot it's Ike.
However, if singer has shown any promise at return in tc and practice, maybe he gets a couple of tries.
Singer did some returning in the preseason. Not sure if it's asking too much, maybe let him concentrate on receiving for his first start.
FP article from training camp telling us who Singer is:
https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2026/05/26/singer-a-studious-student-for-the-blue-and-gold
Winnipeg Blue Bombers rule Nic Demski out for Labour Day Classic against Roughriders
by 3Down Staff September 5, 2026
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have ruled Canadian receiver Nic Demski out for the Labour Day Classic on Sunday. The team issued its official depth chart on Saturday morning.
The five-foot-eleven, 211-pound target has caught 50 passes for 660 yards and three touchdowns through 11 regular-season games this year. He is Winnipeg's third-leading receiver behind Ontaria Wilson and Tim White.
The 32-year-old was a non-participant in practice this week due to an ankle injury. He has been moved to the one-game injured list.
The Winnipeg native has been an All-West Division selection in five consecutive seasons and was named the Most Valuable Canadian in the 108th Grey Cup. Over 163 career regular-season CFL games, he has made 544 catches for 6,945 yards and 45 touchdowns.
Demski will be replaced at slotback by rookie Dorian Singer.
The 23-year-old played 29 collegiate games at the University of Arizona, University of Southern California, and University of Utah. He made 108 receptions for 1,695 yards and nine touchdowns. This will be his first professional regular-season football game.
The Blue Bombers have also made two changes in their secondary.
Deatrick Nichols is set to return from the ankle injury that kept him out of last week's game against the Montreal Alouettes, while Jonathan Moxey has been moved to the six-game injured list with a groin injury.
Nichols is set to retake his spot at boundary halfback, while Trey Vaval will start for Moxey at field-side cornerback. Vaval made his first start of the season last week and recorded three defensive tackles and one pass knockdown.
Winnipeg has also placed Canadian linebacker Brody Clark (hamstring) and American linebacker Dylan Hazen (head) on the six-game injured list. In corresponding moves, Canadian running back Matthew Peterson and Canadian linebacker Charles-Elliot Bouliane have been promoted from the practice roster.
The Blue Bombers lost last year's Labour Day Classic by a score of 34–30. Saskatchewan sealed the win when Tevaughn Campbell intercepted Zach Collaros on a two-point conversion late in the fourth quarter and returned it for a touchdown.
Since 2021, Winnipeg is 3-2 in the Labour Day Classic.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers (6-5) will visit the Saskatchewan Roughriders (7-4) at Mosaic Stadium on Sunday, September 6 with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EDT. Last week, the Blue Bombers got a one-sided upset victory over the Montreal Alouettes, while the Roughriders got a come-from-behind win over the Toronto Argonauts to snap a two-game losing skid.
The weather forecast in Regina calls for a high of 24 degrees and a 60 percent chance of showers. The game will be broadcast on TSN in Canada, CBS Sports Network in the U.S., and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune-in on 620 CKRM in Regina or 680 CJOB in Winnipeg.
https://3downnation.com/2026/09/05/winnipeg-blue-bombers-rule-nic-demski-out-for-labour-day-classic-against-roughriders/
Jamie Nye @jamienye
#Riders move Aaron Patrick and Devin Adams to the defensive line rotation, Desmond Evans comes off and Josh Woods goes to one game. Johnnie Johnson returns with Shemar Bridges going to the reserve roster. Jaxon Ford returns with Nick Wiebe going to the one game.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HRducibagAA2A57?format=jpg&name=large)
Yesh, 9 defensive players on the 6 game
Quote from: Waffler on September 05, 2026, 03:53:07 PMSinger did some returning in the preseason. Not sure if it's asking too much, maybe let him concentrate on receiving for his first start.
Agree Singer not Petersen likely to get a few returns as he did that job well in pre-season, still think Vaval will handle the majority of returns and we'll see a fair amount of Texada at CB filling in.
Should see Petersen on ST in a pursuit role and also hope he subs in for Demski's spot on some offensive plays, it's his only hope of securing a future on the team after 1.5 years of sitting around waiting for Brady to break.
Condell has not used Demski as a running threat at all this season, maybe due to the risk of his continual injuries but that second RB as a receiver has always been a great weapon in the Bomber arsenal that few other teams can match. Pretty sure Petersen could be trained to be Demski's future replacement as he has good speed and decent hands in addition to solid RB skills. In the open field he's probably more elusive than either Brady or Demski, just hope he gets the chance to demonstrate his ability in the second half of the season or he walks.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on September 05, 2026, 05:11:13 PMCondell has not used Demski as a running threat at all this season, maybe due to the risk of his continual injuries but that second RB as a receiver has always been a great weapon in the Bomber arsenal that few other teams can match. Pretty sure Petersen could be trained to be Demski's future replacement as he has good speed and decent hands in addition to solid RB skills. In the open field he's probably more elusive than either Brady or Demski, just hope he gets the chance to demonstrate his ability in the second half of the season or he walks.
Demski hasn't received more than a token rush in years. We used him as a RB a little bit in his first couple of years but that was a long time ago.
We've never indicated that we're ever going to use Peterson more than Brady insurance. There's virtually no chance he ever becomes used in a Demski role.
Saskatchewan Roughriders down two linebackers for Labour Day Classic
by 3Down Staff September 5, 2026
The Saskatchewan Roughriders will be without a key defensive starter when they take to the field for the annual Labour Day Classic on Sunday.
Weak-side linebacker Josh Woods has been placed on the one-game injured list after being unable to practice this week due to an ankle issue. Since being acquired as a free agent this offseason, the 28-year-old has been a stalwart for Saskatchewan, recording 42 defensive tackles, a sack, and two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown.
Veteran backup and special teams standout Aubrey Miller Jr. has been tapped as Woods' replacement. In 11 games this season, he has made just two defensive tackles with another 13 on special teams, plus a forced fumble.
Special teams standout and backup linebacker Nick Wiebe will also be out this week with a knee injury. Canadian safety Jaxon Ford returns to the fold, but will sit behind Nelson Lokombo.
The Riders will be changing things up at the defensive end spot of their own volition, as rookie Desmond Evans has been demoted to the practice roster. Through 11 games, he had recorded 10 defensive tackles, two sacks, and two pass knockdowns, but struggled to finish when given shots at the quarterback. Derick Roberson, who got the start last week, will continue in that role, with recent re-acquisition Aaron Patrick making his return to the Green and White in a depth role. Devin Adams will also make his return to the lineup at backup defensive tackle.
Offensively, Saskatchewan will have promising rookie Johnny Johnson III back after a brief injury hiatus. In seven appearances, he has caught 22 passes for 295 yards and one touchdown. Shemar Bridges, who registered two receptions for 11 yards in his Riders debut last week, will be placed on the reserve roster.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders (7-4) will host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (6-5) at Mosaic Stadium on Sunday, September 6, with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EDT. Last week, the Blue Bombers got a one-sided upset victory over the Montreal Alouettes, while the Roughriders got a come-from-behind win over the Toronto Argonauts to snap a two-game losing skid.
The weather forecast in Regina calls for a high of 24 degrees and a 60 percent chance of showers. The game will be broadcast on TSN in Canada, CBS Sports Network in the U.S., and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune in on 620 CKRM in Regina or 680 CJOB in Winnipeg.
https://3downnation.com/2026/09/05/saskatchewan-roughriders-down-two-linebackers-for-labour-day-classic/
Quote from: gobombersgo on September 05, 2026, 03:45:03 PM(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HRdnc76bwAA-LcK?format=jpg&name=large)
9 LBs, 7 DBs, 7 DLs, I like the balance of our D this week.
Pecking order on who they will target (weakness)?
1. Kelly
2. Nichols
3. Vaval
4. Wilson
Thoughts
Quote from: Jesse on September 05, 2026, 06:21:28 PMDemski hasn't received more than a token rush in years. We used him as a RB a little bit in his first couple of years but that was a long time ago.
We've never indicated that we're ever going to use Peterson more than Brady insurance. There's virtually no chance he ever becomes used in a Demski role.
Disagree, up until this year Demski always received handoffs out of his SB position every few games to mix it up.
As for Petersen they can either use him or lose him, he's a 25 yr old Natl. stud they went out of their way to acquire, it's a huge waste leaving him on the PR to rot.
ND10 Rushing Attempts.
2018: 34
2019: 26
2021: 13
2022: 20
2023: 23
2024: 6
2025: 9
2026: 2
Quote from: Pigskin on September 05, 2026, 08:46:14 PMND10 Rushing Attempts.
2018: 34
2019: 26
2021: 13
2022: 20
2023: 23
2024: 6
2025: 9
2026: 2
Coincidentally the offence sucked the last few years, but maybe running the ball up the middle is now too hard on his body.
Well like they say. It's nit how you start, it's how you finish. Harris looked awful the last two games,es. Bimbers looked great. ...but on Labor Day? Wow,
Quote from: Blueforlife on September 05, 2026, 08:07:53 PMPecking order on who they will target (weakness)?
1. Kelly
2. Nichols
3. Vaval
4. Wilson
Thoughts
Since the ssk game is short-mostly, who the db is that's targeted doesn't really matter. It's more throw to who found the best zone hole.
But for deeper shots I expect they target the youngest guys most to test them. Texada, vaval, major, Kelly. On paper it sounds good to target an underperforming Nichols, but the savvy vet Trevor will know he might surprise you.
Our key will be don't leave Kelly isolated, he should always be with help.
Pressure Harris like we did against Alexander and he'll have a tough night.
Quote from: Blue In BC on Today at 12:04:59 AMPressure Harris like we did against Alexander and he'll have a tough night.
It's tougher, as Davis likes to sling it, so we knew we had some pass rush time.
Trevor will get 75% of passes out in less than 2.5s. That spells more lane blocking and dropping back, and less qb harassment.