Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ quarterback Zach Collaros has been excused from training camp due to “family reasons”, according to a report from TSN’s Farhan Lalji.
The 34-year-old was absent from practice for the first time on Friday and is expected to return in “a couple of days.” In the meantime, backup Dru Brown will be working with the first-team offence.
Collaros threw for 4,183 yards, 37 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions through 17 games last season, becoming the fifth player in CFL history to win back-to-back Most Outstanding Player awards. He signed a three-year contract extension with Winnipeg last October, making him the highest-paid player in the league in 2023 with expected earnings of $600,000.
The Steubenville, Oh. native was acquired by the Blue Bombers via trade in October 2019 ahead of their postseason run that culminated in a Grey Cup victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He led Winnipeg to another championship in 2021 after beating the Ticats at Tim Hortons Field, throwing for 3,185 yards, 20 touchdowns, and just six interceptions that season to take home his first M.O.P. award.
In 10 CFL seasons with the Toronto Argonauts, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Saskatchewan Roughriders, and Blue Bombers, Collaros has thrown for 24,347 yards, 151 touchdowns, and 71 interceptions while 1,078 yards and eight majors. He has advanced to the Grey Cup in all three seasons he’s played in Winnipeg.
The Bombers are scheduled to visit the Edmonton Elks to begin their preseason on Saturday, May 27 at 4:00 p.m. EDT.
