Winnipeg Blue Bombers shuffle defensive line

Winnipeg Blue Bombers

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have made a change to their defensive line as De’Shaan Dixon has been moved to the six-game injured list, while Michael Fletcher has been promoted from the practice roster. The moves appeared on the CFL’s transactions wire on Monday.

Dixon dressed in a depth role for the team’s Week 1 victory over the Calgary Stampeders, recording one defensive tackle. He left the game due to injury in the fourth quarter and did not return. According to the team’s official injury report, he suffered a hamstring injury.

The native of Chesapeake, Va. earned a spot on Winnipeg’s active roster after an impressive preseason during which he made seven defensive tackles and one tackle for loss. He had a stint on the club’s practice roster last October, giving the Blue Bombers a preview of what he might be able to do in 2026.

The 27-year-old spent three seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent, a stint that ended when he tore his ACL in 2024. Friday night’s game against Calgary was his first regular-season NFL or CFL action since October 30, 2022.

Fletcher was a collegiate standout at Appalachian State University, where he made 40 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, nine sacks, two fumble recoveries, one pass knockdown, and one forced fumble in 23 games. The 24-year-old previously played at Michigan State University, where he tallied 31 total tackles and three sacks over 21 games.

The six-foot-six, 275-pound native of Flint, Mich. attended training camp with the New York Jets in 2025 and made two tackles, one pass knockdown, and one quarterback hit during the preseason, though he was released upon its conclusion.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1-0) will host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (0-1) at Princess Auto Stadium on Thursday, June 11, with kickoff scheduled for 8:30 p.m. EDT. The Tiger-Cats are coming off an overtime loss to the Montreal Alouettes, while the Blue Bombers got a walk-off game-winning field goal from Sergio Castillo to beat the Calgary Stampeders.

The weather forecast in Winnipeg calls for a high of 21 degrees and a 30 percent chance of rain. The game will be broadcast on TSN and RDS2 in Canada, CBS Sports Network in the United States, and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune in to the Ticats Audio Network in Hamilton and 680 CJOB in Winnipeg.