The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are feeling the effects of a long CFL season on their receiving corps and will still be without star pass catcher Dalton Schoen for the Western Final.
Schoen has not played since suffering an ankle injury late in the team’s Week 18 victory over the B.C. Lions. However, there was speculation that he would be healthy enough to perform in the playoff matchup against that same club and was initially listed as questionable this week, before being left off the game-day roster.
The second-year standout finished third in CFL receiving yardage with 71 receptions for 1,222 yards and 10 touchdowns in 16 games. That was just behind the pace of his breakout first season in the league when he collected 70 receptions for 1,441 yards and 16 touchdowns, earning Most Outstanding Rookie honours.
Schoen is not the only member of the Bombers’ offence banged up entering their first playoff contest. Thousand-yard Canadian receiver Nic Demski (ankle), American starter Rasheed Bailey (knee), and do-it-all gadget weapon Greg McCrae (shoulder) are all listed as game-time decisions after being limited in practice this week.
Other members of the squad should be well-rested, with left tackle Stanley Bryant, defensive ends Willie Jefferson and Jackson Jeffcoat, defensive tackle Ricky Walker, linebackers Adam Bighill, Kyrie Wilson, Redha Kramdi, and Malik Clements, and safety Brandon Alexander all returning to the lineup after sitting out the regular-season finale.
One veteran not scheduled to be in the lineup is former all-star cornerback Winston Rose, who will be a healthy scratch with Jamal Parker slated to start in his place. In 10 games this season, the 29-year-old notched 32 defensive tackles and one interception.
Joining Rose as healthy scratches are defensive backs Jake Kelly, Tyrique McGhee, and Souleymane Karamoko, defensive linemen Celestin Haba, TyJuan Garbutt, Tanner Schmekel, and Miles Fox, receiver Ravi Alston, and offensive lineman Drew Richmond.
The Bombers (14-4) will host the B.C. Lions (12-6) for the Western Final on Saturday, November 11 at 6:30 p.m. EST. Winnipeg won the final two meetings between the teams this season, securing the top seed with a 34-26 victory in Week 18.
