Zach Collaros returns to practice with Winnipeg Blue Bombers, takes first-team reps

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Franchise quarterback Zach Collaros returned to practice with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Sunday and took first-team reps.

The 37-year-old missed the team’s last four regular-season games with a neck injury he suffered during a 14-13 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in Week 5. The injury occurred when strong-side linebacker Reggie Stubblefield came unblocked on a blitz and sacked Collaros for a seven-yard loss.

“It was a shot that obviously didn’t feel very well afterward, and it lingered for a bit of time with respect to my neck,” Collaros said of the injury, calling it whiplash.

The six-foot-one, 218-pound passer was originally placed on the one-game injured list, though he was later moved to the six-game injured list. Players on the six-game injured list can practice after four weeks. His salary for the past four games will be retroactively added to the salary cap if he is removed early.

Collaros attributed his absence to a combination of physical limitation and an abundance of caution.

“Since I got here in 2019, (team physician Dr. Neil Craton), (head athletic therapist Alain Couture), all the docs involved have been very upfront with me. It’s not a decision coming from the front office or from the coaching staff,” he said.

“It’s solely based on Al and Dr. Craton and me, and we felt like this is the best week to get back into it.”

The veteran passer has completed 71.8 percent of his passes for 985 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions through four starts this season, posting a 2-2 record.

Head coach Mike O’Shea believes that having the two-time CFL Most Outstanding Player back practicing was a boost for the team, on and off the field.

“Obviously, he’s one of the best to play the game,” he said. “He’s got a certain leadership style about him that everybody appreciates, and on a personal note, when anybody — not just Zach, but when anybody’s hurt — and they can’t do this thing they really enjoy, there’s a bit of grumpiness around the place.”

Dru Brown started four games in the absence of Collaros, completing 69.6 percent of his passes for 1,085 yards, five touchdowns, and five interceptions, also going 2-2. He was injured late in Winnipeg’s recent loss to B.C., and was limited in practice on Sunday. His status for this week remains unclear.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers (4-4) will host the Ottawa Redblacks (0-8) at Princess Auto Stadium on Friday, August 14 with kickoff scheduled for 8:30 p.m. EDT. The Redblacks suffered a 42-20 loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders last week, while the Blue Bombers were on bye.

The weather forecast in Winnipeg calls for 23 degrees with a mix of sun and cloud. The game will be broadcast on TSN and RDS2 in Canada and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune-in on TSN 1200 in Ottawa or 680 CJOB in Winnipeg.