Official Game Day Thread - Montreal @ Winnipeg, August 28, 2026

[Blueforlife]

Nichols has not played well in most of 2026. He may have been struggling with an injury all season. The fact he hasn't been able to practice at full all week and is a GTD means he is not 100%.

A healthy Nichols is better than Texada but that's not the question.

Texada played fairly well in pre season. How he looks in practice IDK since I'm in Vancouver. The point of the PR is to have alternatives for players that are injured.

I'm guessing Nichols plays whether he's at 60% or 80%. It's O'Shea's MO.

Nichols will play if medically cleared, that's not MOS call.  Your other points are on point LOL.

Would be interesting to know how he looks in practice for those that go.

Interesting if he has been nicked (most of year).  Never thought of that.

I wouldn't play him unless 90% plus, ideally 100.  I hate when you re-injury.  Sometimes though like Brady like could just be nicked all year and nurse it and deal with it in the offseason.  Hope not.

[3rdand1.5]

I am with the group sharing frustration with the roster usage. It was not good enough last week, and we are again leaving the offence sooooo thin....

The offence has nothing everything get's thrown to the defence and special teams....I don't think you could find one sanely rational CFL pundit that believes our receiving core is good enough, couple that with one Canadian back-up for all spots, with Demski still hobbled by his bum ankle.

Then we have the o-line....one back-up in Eli, who is not fully healthy himself and Bryant who is 40 injured and missing ton's of practice time himself.....

Oh and lets also start/play 6 CDN's or 7 on offence, even though the CDN's we are playing are arguably not the best at their positions on the roster.....that way we can stack the defence....except the defence isn't stacked and is actually mediocre....oh and it features 3 CDN starters also...so there is really no need to have 6/7 starting on offence.....pretty sure we will get that free 2nd round pick again....yahhh...it sure has helps us that last few years!

Don't worry though Vaval, is our only true DB back-up with Nichols being a GTD, yes let's potentially hamper our special teams....our only really good unit we employee I mean Chris IKE is CDN so if he has to return, it's even more CDN snaps, not like we have a guy on the PR that can return or anything......or we could put Hallett out at weakside HB, a great CDN special teamer, it's not like MTRL is a prolific passing team anyway....just think of those extra CDN snaps...that wouldn't be setting Hallett up for failure at all, no I mean he has all those quality snaps before at that position... right...right....

Don't worry about all that though we still managed to get 10 LB's on the roster...whew I was so worried we might take off a LB this week.....Our special teams coverage will again be tops in the league...with that being so good, and all that rotation Younger can employee to confuse our guys...errr I mean the other team....who really acres about the offence anyway....

[Blue In BC]

Nichols will play if medically cleared, that's not MOS call.  Your other points are on point LOL.

Would be interesting to know how he looks in practice for those that go.

Not exactly. He's cleared because he did have some practice and is a GTD. At that point O'Shea and Younger will make the final call.

O'Shea always uses the phrase " next man up " and their all " starters ". If Texada is NOT that guy we've had since TC to find a better player even to compete on the PR. So far NADA.

[Blue In BC]

I am with the group sharing frustration with the roster usage. It was not good enough last week, and we are again leaving the offence sooooo thin....

The offence has nothing everything get's thrown to the defence and special teams....I don't think you could find one sanely rational CFL pundit that believes our receiving core is good enough, couple that with one Canadian back-up for all spots, with Demski still hobbled by his bum ankle.

Then we have the o-line....one back-up in Eli, who is not fully healthy himself and Bryant who is 40 injured and missing ton's of practice time himself.....

Oh and lets also start/play 6 CDN's or 7 on offence, even though the CDN's we are playing are arguably not the best at their positions on the roster.....that way we can stack the defence....except the defence isn't stacked and is actually mediocre....oh and it features 3 CDN starters also...so there is really no need to have 6/7 starting on offence.....pretty sure we will get that free 2nd round pick again....yahhh...it sure has helps us that last few years!

Don't worry though Vaval, is our only true DB back-up with Nichols being a GTD, yes let's potentially hamper our special teams....our only really good unit we employee I mean Chris IKE is CDN so if he has to return, it's even more CDN snaps, not like we have a guy on the PR that can return or anything......or we could put Hallett out at weakside HB, a great CDN special teamer, it's not like MTRL is a prolific passing team anyway....just think of those extra CDN snaps...that wouldn't be setting Hallett up for failure at all, no I mean he has all those quality snaps before at that position... right...right....

Don't worry about all that though we still managed to get 10 LB's on the roster...whew I was so worried we might take off a LB this week.....Our special teams coverage will again be tops in the league...with that being so good, and all that rotation Younger can employee to confuse our guys...errr I mean the other team....who really acres about the offence anyway....

Yep. Well said and I think most agree with your concerns.

[Blueforlife]

Not exactly. He's cleared because he did have some practice and is a GTD. At that point O'Shea and Younger will make the final call.

O'Shea always uses the phrase " next man up " and their all " starters ". If Texada is NOT that guy we've had since TC to find a better player even to compete on the PR. So far NADA.

Interesting, not sure how it works for all scenarios, I know Brady said needs to get treated and cleared by medical 1st but a grey area when practicing all week, GTD might be a different thing as well, would be interesting to know who is involved in the different situations.  I know players often get shots late just before warm up, has happened with Brady pretty sure as he came out late a few games ago.  They might just count on Vaval before Texada.  I'll be watching for Nichols and Brady an hour before and will post here what I see.  I might be too busy snacking to remember LOL.  Usually leave my phone along during the game.  Who else should I look for that might be nicked?

I think the medical staff is more involved in these decisions than some believe but you point out some interesting stuff.

I think Texada will stick around a couple more years, sure hope he works out.

[gobombersgo]

[bunker]

I don't have the energy to complain anymore. Pete and 3rd and 1.5 said it all for me. I gave away my tickets to this one. I want to be able to turn it off at half time if it goes the way I expect. I'm ok with a bad team thats working to get better and trying new things. I'm not ok with MOS playing back this mediocre group week after week. He's lost the plot. 

[gobombersgo]

Deatrick Nichols game-time decision for Winnipeg Blue Bombers against Alouettes

https://3downnation.com/2026/08/27/deatrick-nichols-game-time-decision-for-winnipeg-blue-bombers-against-alouettes/

[gobombersgo]

Justin Lawrence returns for Montreal Alouettes against Blue Bombers

The Montreal Alouettes will have Canadian offensive lineman Justin Lawrence back in the lineup when they visit the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Friday night. The team released its official depth chart on Thursday.

The 30-year-old suffered an ankle injury against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in Week 1. He has since missed nine straight games

The native of Spruce Grove, Alta. was originally a fifth-round pick in the 2018 CFL Draft by the Calgary Stampeders. He spent three seasons with the team before stints with the Toronto Argonauts and Alouettes.

The six-foot-one, 308-pound blocker has played 107 career regular-season CFL games. He is a two-time All-East Division selection and three-time Grey Cup champion.

Cyrille Hogan-Saindon, who replaced Lawrence at centre, will remain in the starting role. Lawrence will dress as a backup this week.

In a corresponding move, the Alouettes have placed Canadian offensive lineman Braydon Noll on the reserve roster.

Montreal has also placed rookie linebacker Donovan Manuel and defensive back Faion Hicks on the practice roster.

Manuel has made one defensive tackle and two special teams tackles over six regular-season games this year, while Hicks has made five defensive tackles and one forced fumble over five regular-season games.

The Alouettes have made no other changes to their roster for this week's game in Winnipeg.

The Montreal Alouettes (9-1) will visit the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (5-5) at Princess Auto Stadium on Friday, August 28 with kickoff scheduled for 8:30 p.m. EDT. Last week, the Alouettes torched the Ottawa Redblacks, while the Blue Bombers suffered a second-half collapse to lose to the Edmonton Elks.

The weather forecast in Winnipeg calls for a high of 25 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 TSN 690 (English) or 99.5 Montreal (French) in Montreal or CJOB 680 in Winnipeg.

https://3downnation.com/2026/08/27/justin-lawrence-returns-for-montreal-alouettes-against-blue-bombers/

[3rdand1.5]

I will add this to my previous rant, as the MTRL depth chart is now here....Look at that 2 back-up O-lineman, 2 back-up receivers, and 2 back-up BD's......oh and receiver and DB, both feature designated American's.....4 starting Canadians on offence, but they have the ability to DA snaps on offence, if they choose...and 3 starting CDN's on defence again with the ability to DA snaps if they choose....But only 7 LB's...weak...they must suck at special teams....

It almost feels like they maximized the roster flexibility and are covered for injuries and have given themselves the ability to use the DA rules situationally if they need......silly them just think of all those CDN snaps they won't be employing, they have no chance at that extra 2nd round pick at all....Let's all point and laugh at them for balancing their roster and using the rules allowed to put their best roster together.....it's not like it has been leading them to success....errr oh wait...I mean does the score even matter anyway it is after all the CFL...yah C for Canadian, clearly our roster features more Canadians...so yah...boooya..MTRL!

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Agreed. Maas has been eating O'Shea's lunch these last couple years. Not only is the roster construction better his player personnel decisions are significantly better.

Just look how he handled the Davis situation. Fajardo was out despite winning a Grey Cup and Alexander was in.

It's all about winning in Montreal. The same is not true in Winnipeg with O'Shea. He's a culture guy but the culture is more important than the results. It's getting very, very old very fast.

[BBRT]

Agreed. Maas has been eating O'Shea's lunch these last couple years. Not only is the roster construction better his player personnel decisions are significantly better.

Just look how he handled the Davis situation. Fajardo was out despite winning a Grey Cup and Alexander was in.

It's all about winning in Montreal. The same is not true in Winnipeg with O'Shea. He's a culture guy but the culture is more important than the results. It's getting very, very old very fast.

To That I Can Only Say AMEN!!!!!

[Pete]

What "repercussions" would you like to see?

Cut their playing time or move them to injured list or pr. In certain cases where performance continues to decline cut them
We cant afford to carry players just cause they are vets

[Blueforlife]

Win lose or draw (ok wait no ties), it's always a great outing and the weather looks good, hope the crowd comes, the fair weather fans starting to show their true colours.  A packed house does matter.  I didn't even need my ear plugs last game.  LETS GO BOMBERS.

The beauty of this league is that you can always enjoy the talent on the other side of the field and they are stacked.  Ding ding, should be fun.  A tight game would be great.

Bombers could never win again and I'll keep going.  The CFL is just so special and the game is changing.  Not the time to skip.

[blue_gold_84]

Cut their playing time or move them to injured list or pr. In certain cases where performance continues to decline cut them
We cant afford to carry players just cause they are vets

I agree on vets not getting free passes, but I don't think arbitrary punishment like that would solve anything.