This game is this season's "Win or Go Home" version of the 2026 Blue Bomber season.
Injury-wise the Bombers are in fairly decent condition with only N. Gatkuoth and Michael Ayers listed as Out for the BC game.
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It's clear the Bombers have to put forth a full 60 minute game in all phases. BC will be sitting several of their starters so they seem ripe for a loss. The Bombers appear to be ready for this crucial game but, at best, they can be considered a hot and cold team this year with mental breakdowns at times, particularly in second halves of games.
Again it's fairly simple - win or go home and start preparation for 2027.
Time to gear up and play playoff football. Let's go Bombers!
QuoteThe Bombers appear to be ready for this crucial game but
Not sure I can wrap my head around this line. We're coming off another let down of a loss and half our starters aren't even practicing.
Ed Tait:
The @Wpg_BlueBombers roster for tomorrow features one change with DB Jonathan Moxey added for Ridge Texada.
DT Cam Lawson listed as a game time decision
WPG @ BC Oct 23/26 (https://assets.ctfassets.net/yfsr4emgn242/2zqOF08lf2LG265lQ916OB/79b0e93fc047aef5bb6c6f0bb96a3120/WINNIPEG_AT_BC_OCTOBER_23.pdf)
Quote from: gobombersgo on Today at 01:50:52 PMEd Tait:
The @Wpg_BlueBombers roster for tomorrow features one change with DB Jonathan Moxey added for Ridge Texada.
DT Cam Lawson listed as a game time decision
Who is the alternative for Lawson if he can't play?
Quote from: Blue In BC on Today at 01:58:19 PMWho is the alternative for Lawson if he can't play?
Fletcher is behind him, also earlier in the year Kornelson has been in that spot but we released him.
Quote from: Mick on Today at 02:01:33 PMFletcher is behind him.
I'm referring to the ratio issue of wanting to add another Canadian. Lawson gives us another option in starting 7 or more so in that sense he's not crucial in that aspect.
We would want to add another Canadian somewhere as depth.
With him out we would still be starting 8 Canadians.
Kramdi, Wallace, Eli, Neufeld, Nield, Oliveira, Daniels, Demski
Jonathan Moxey returns for Winnipeg Blue Bombers against B.C. Lions
by John Hodge October 22, 2026
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will have American defensive back Jonathan Moxey in the lineup when they visit the B.C. Lions on Friday. The team released its official depth chart on Thursday morning.
The 31-year-old missed the club's last six games due to a groin injury. The native of West Palm Beach, Fla. made 11 starts at field-side cornerback to begin the season, recording 18 defensive tackles, one tackle for loss, seven pass knockdowns, and one interception.
The five-foot-ten, 202-pound defender joined the Blue Bombers in free agency after a two-year stint with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Over 93 career regular-season CFL games as a member of the Calgary Stampeders, Tiger-Cats, and Blue Bombers, Moxey has notched 150 defensive tackles, 10 special teams tackles, four tackles for loss, 45 pass knockdowns, nine interceptions, three fumble recoveries, one sack, and one forced fumble.
In a corresponding move, Winnipeg has moved rookie defensive back Ridge Texada to the practice roster.
Moxey is listed as the backup at field-side cornerback behind Trey Vaval. In addition to his duties as a return specialist, Vaval has made 21 defensive tackles and four pass knockdowns this year.
The Blue Bombers have also listed Canadian defensive lineman Cam Lawson as a game-time decision. According to the team's injury report, he was a non-participant in practice on Monday and Tuesday due to a knee injury. He was a limited participant on Wednesday.
Winnipeg has to beat the Lions in order to make the playoffs, which isn't the scenario the team envisioned when the season began. The team had a chance to punch its ticket to the playoffs this past week but lost 35-27 to the Edmonton Elks.
With nothing to play for in the standings, B.C. will rest franchise quarterback Nathan Rourke and start Kaidon Salter in his place. The rookie won his only previous start this season, as he, Zander Horvath, and Emani Bailey combined for 377 rushing yards and three touchdowns in a 35-19 win over Winnipeg in July.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers (8-9) will visit the B.C. Lions (10-7) at BC Place Stadium on Friday, October 23 with kickoff scheduled for 10:00 p.m. ET. Winnipeg is coming off a loss to the Edmonton Elks that cost them a chance to clinch a playoff spot, while the Lions lost to the Calgary Stampeders after resting some of their starters in the second half.
The game will be broadcast on TSN in Canada and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune-in on 680 CJOB in Winnipeg and 730 CKNW (English) or Sher-E-Punjab Radio AM 600 (Punjabi) in Vancouver.
https://3downnation.com/2026/10/22/jonathan-moxey-returns-for-winnipeg-blue-bombers-against-b-c-lions/
Quote from: Mick on Today at 02:09:36 PMWith him out we would still be starting 8 Canadians.
Kramdi, Wallace, Eli, Neufeld, Nield, Oliveira, Daniels, Demski
I realize that but that doesn't answer the question of who we'd add to the roster. Clearly we don't have another healthy Canadian defensive player.
We could leave him on the AR and not play him. If we move him to the 1 game IR, in theory we'd add somebody that might see some duty.
Schmekel will see more reps and I think Jenkins could see some reps inside as well as outside.
Quote from: Blue In BC on Today at 02:30:16 PMI realize that but that doesn't answer the question of who we'd add to the roster. Clearly we don't have another healthy Canadian defensive player.
We could leave him on the AR and not play him. If we move him to the 1 game IR, in theory we'd add somebody that might see some duty.
Schmekel will see more reps and I think Jenkins could see some reps inside as well as outside.
In the past, even with Lawson out we still just went with 8 starting Canadians. We have depth in other areas to make that adjustment. Everyone is upset with Kyrie Wilson, could easily just move Shay in and that problem is solved.
There's not another healthy d nat?? Surely that can't be true...
I guess that would mean cobb or Corcoran. Or peterson.
Quote from: Mick on Today at 02:49:19 PMWilson, could easily just move Shay in and that problem is solved.
What binbc means is if you take one nat off AR, you need to add another. No exceptions.
Nothing to do with the starter ratio.
Shay is already AR, so he can't be added.
Thus someone on O, probably. Who we don't really need.
Quote from: Tecno on Today at 03:00:08 PMWhat binbc means is if you take one nat off AR, you need to add another. No exceptions.
Nothing to do with the starter ratio.
Shay is already AR, so he can't be added.
Thus someone on O, probably. Who we don't really need.
But were already fielding 45 total, minimum is 44, we still meet that without doing anything.
Quote from: Mick on Today at 03:02:42 PMBut were already fielding 45 total, minimum is 44, we still meet that without doing anything.
I think they need to roster 1 more Canadian though.
While its true you only need to dress 44, you still need to dress a minimum of 21 Canadians (1 can be a nationalized American)
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Oh god. Four more quarters of Kyrie Wilson vs Kaiden Salter. They should make Salter play without cleats to make it fair.
Ed Tait:
Tons of changes for the Lions tomorrow against the @Wpg_BlueBombers. Nathan Rourke dressing but not starting; no McInnis, Hatcher, Berryhill, Yates, Woodruff, Williams, Butler, Lee...
Quote from: Mick on Today at 03:02:42 PMBut were already fielding 45 total, minimum is 44, we still meet that without doing anything.
We aren't if we move Lawson to the 1 game IR for this game. He may stay on the roster and just not play.
Quote from: Tecno on Today at 02:50:47 PMThere's not another healthy d nat?? Surely that can't be true...
I guess that would mean cobb or Corcoran. Or peterson.
Nope. Lots of players on IR ( 4 ). Gatkouth is on the reserve but not expected to play.
Quote from: Blue In BC on Today at 03:43:57 PMWe aren't if we move Lawson to the 1 game IR for this game. He may stay on the roster and just not play.
They have 44 dressed excluding Lawson but the issue is that total includes 2 Globals.
They would need to roster one more Canadian to meet the minimum Canadian roster requirement.
B.C. Lions swap out almost entire starting offence against Winnipeg
The B.C. Lions have made sweeping changes to their roster for Friday night's game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The team published its official depth chart on Thursday morning.
As announced earlier this week, Kaidon Salter will start at quarterback. The CFL rookie played the entire second half of B.C.'s loss to Calgary this past week, completing six-of-12 pass attempts for 113 yards and one interception. He also rushed three times for 23 yards to lead the team in rushing.
The 23-year-old made his first career start in a Week 9 upset win over Winnipeg. He completed seven-of-15 passes for 96 yards and a touchdown, while rushing 10 times for 160 yards and catching a critical two-point conversion attempt.
Chris Oladokun, who signed with the club in September after spending four years with the Kansas City Chiefs, is also expected to see some reps in the second half. The 29-year-old has won two Super Bowls and made two NFL starts last season, completing 63.6 percent of his passes for 235 yards and one touchdown. He is dressing as Salter's backup, while Nathan Rourke is the third-stringer.
Emani Bailey will start at running back, where Zander Horvath is listed as the backup. James Butler will not dress and has been placed on the one-game injured list with a shoulder issue. Horvath needs one rushing touchdown to tie the all-time single-season CFL record set by Mike Pringle, and two touchdowns of any kind to tie Milt Stegall for the total touchdowns record.
Jermaine Jackson is the only usual starter at receiver who will start this week. Jaden Williams will start for Keon Hatcher at boundary wideout, while Nate DeMontagnac, Michael Fitzgerald, and Kieran Poissant will start to the field side. Justin McInnis (ankle) and Stanley Berryhill (thigh) will not dress this week, while Jevon Cottoy will dress in a depth role.
B.C. has also made three changes to the starting offensive line, with Anu Una and Tyran Hunt being the only two regular starters still in their spots.
Lorenzo Thompson will start at left tackle for Kory Woodruff (knee), Andrew Peirson will start at centre for Michael Couture, and Ivory Scott will start at right guard for Brandon Yates. Couture will still dress in a depth role, while Woodruff and Yates have come off the roster. This will be the first career CFL start for Thompson and Scott. Alex Berwick will dress for depth.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Lions have made just two significant changes. Defensive back Deontai Williams comes out of the lineup after suffering a head injury last week and Jordan Oladokun returns to the practice roster, with Mac McCain making his first start at boundary cornerback. Hayden Harris will start at defensive end in place of Mathieu Betts, though he will remain on the roster in a backup role. Depth linebacker Wesley Steiner will also sit out this week with a hip injury, with defensive end Matt Spatny filling in.
B.C. will see one significant addition to the lineup in Week 21, as kick returner Seven McGee is slated to return after he was injured in the season opener. The 24-year-old amassed 1,198 kick return yards and 516 punt return yards last year, scoring one touchdown.
Friday's game means nothing in the standings for B.C., as the team is locked into second place in the West Division. The club will host the West Semi-Final on Saturday, October 31.
The B.C. Lions (10-7) will host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (8-9) at BC Place Stadium on Friday, October 23, with kickoff scheduled for 10:00 p.m. ET. Winnipeg is coming off a loss to the Edmonton Elks that cost them a chance to clinch a playoff spot, while the Lions lost to the Calgary Stampeders after resting some of their starters in the second half.
The game will be broadcast on TSN in Canada and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune in on 680 CJOB in Winnipeg and 730 CKNW (English) or Sher-E-Punjab Radio AM 600 (Punjabi) in Vancouver.
https://3downnation.com/2026/10/22/b-c-lions-swap-out-almost-entire-starting-offence-against-winnipeg/
It looks like BC wants the Bombers again next week. Playing a B to C roster tomorrow and gift wrapping a W for Blue.
Quote from: Blue In BC on Today at 01:58:19 PMWho is the alternative for Lawson if he can't play?
Move Schmeck to starter, they rotate so much it doesn't really matter if he's a backup or a starter from a ratio perspective.
Quote from: Mick on Today at 02:09:36 PMWith him out we would still be starting 8 Canadians.
Kramdi, Wallace, Eli, Neufeld, Nield, Oliveira, Daniels, Demski
Daniels and Nield share reps. as the 5th receiver, they are never on the field together unless one of the 3 import receivers comes off.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on Today at 06:45:08 PMMove Schmeck to starter, they rotate so much it doesn't really matter if he's a backup or a starter from a ratio perspective.
That's not the question. The question is who do we add to the roster if Lawson is moved to IR. We can start 2 imports at DT and rotate in our backup Canadian. It hurts our depth / rotation capabilities but hopefully we are winning TOP against the Lions.
Here is a thought. Add Vibert as a big guy to plug into the middle on some short yardage plays? It's as good a choice as any other options at the moment.
Quote from: Blue In BC on Today at 07:07:35 PMThat's not the question. The question is who do we add to the roster if Lawson is moved to IR. We can start 2 imports at DT and rotate in our backup Canadian. It hurts our depth capabilities but hopefully we are winning TOP against the Lions.
That's not the question I was answering. If need be any of Lawson, Gatkuouth, Elgersma, Cobb, Corcoran or Vibert can dress and stand on the sideline looking ready to go in. Half of them would enjoy a bump in pay for doing so.
In years past the Bombers always used their last few games to provide PR players bumps in pay while starters sat out, that hasn't been an option this year. More than half of that PR list is doomed, super unlikely any of them get a chance to dress for a very limited playoff run.
Heading to BC in the morning. Hoping our Bombers can get a W.
BC Lions have announced that they have hit 30,000 tickets sold and have opened up more sections.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on Today at 07:25:08 PMThat's not the question I was answering. If need be any of Lawson, Gatkuouth, Elgersma, Cobb, Corcoran or Vibert can dress and stand on the sideline looking ready to go in. Half of them would enjoy a bump in pay for doing so.
In years past the Bombers always used their last few games to provide PR players bumps in pay while starters sat out, that hasn't been an option this year. More than half of that PR list is doomed, super unlikely any of them get a chance to dress for a very limited playoff run.
QB is a different category which wouldn't count against the total number of Canadians required as far as I know. It counts if starting. Gatkouth is getting a full pay check on the reserve but is also nicked.
I wouldn't expect any player on the PR past this week to get activated unless we have another injury.
Yes the others could be added and do nothing but we could let Lawson sit on the sidelines as well.
It seems that every time we've had a GTD, that player played even if reps were reduced.