WINNIPEG — Zach Collaros watched Chris Streveler fall to the turf in last weekend’s Blue Bombers’ regular-season finale and knew it was a serious.
The backup quarterback was scrambling against the Montreal Alouettes when he went down before he was even hit. He then grabbed his left knee — the same knee he tore up last year that ended his season.
“I was heartbroken,” Collaros said Tuesday after the Blue Bombers practised for Saturday’s CFL East Division semifinal in Montreal.
“It’s hard to put into words. I’ve been talking to him the last couple days and just there’s not really anything you can say to make it better.”
Winnipeg went on to beat the Alouettes 19-10 with third-stringer Terry Wilson at the helm as Collaros was being rested for the playoffs.
Streveler was at practice Tuesday, but he wasn’t wearing gear and had a brace on his left knee while he threw a few balls around.
The team’s injury report didn’t list his status for Saturday’s match, but Collaros said it will be difficult not having Streveler on the field.
“He’s an emotional leader for us, for sure,” Collaros said. “When he’s out there he does a great job and on the sidelines, whatever that is, he takes his role very seriously and leads.
“Anytime you lose leadership like that, it makes it tough.”
Streveler posted a lengthy message on his Instagram page Sunday, writing he was trying to wrap his mind around what happened.
“I’m not sure what the future looks like, but I’m confident there’s better things waiting for me on the other side of this recovery,” the feisty fan favourite wrote.
Winnipeg head coach Mike O’Shea was actually positive when asked about Streveler’s status.
“I’ll never count that guy out,” O’Shea said. “I’ve seen that fire burn so hot that you can never count him out.
“The other thing about posts and texts and all those things, I think sometimes the message gets misconstrued.”
It’s probably safe for fans to assume Wilson will back up Collaros when the Alouettes and Bombers square off after finishing the regular season with identical 10-8 records.
The Bombers also have quarterback Chase Artopoeus on their roster, but the California native out of UCLA and Tennessee-Chattanooga has no pro experience.
Homegrown receiver Nic Demski (hamstring) was on the field Tuesday, but also as an observer. The team’s leading receiver missed the past two games after being injured on Oct. 11.
O’Shea wasn’t ruling Demski out for the semifinals.
Running back Brady Oliveira was also rested last weekend.
“You know me, I don’t really like rest,” said Oliveira, who finished fourth in league rushing with 1,163 yards in 15 games.
“I understand, big picture-wise. So I’m ready to go. I’m fired up and feeling really good for this week.”
Winnipeg’s offence has been inconsistent down the stretch, but Oliveira is confident it can produce a well-rounded attack against a stiff Montreal defence.
“I look forward to the challenge, obviously to help lead this team to victories these next couple of weeks,” he said. “And if that needs to happen from the run game, then let’s do it.
“But we have a lot of weapons on this team, where I have full confidence that we can get it done on the ground and in the air.”
The Bombers are aiming to make it to a sixth consecutive Grey Cup, especially because the championship is being playing in Winnipeg on Nov. 16.
“We want to be back here for the big game at the end of the year,” the Winnipeg-born Oliveira said. “We understand it’s going to take a lot. That’s been the message around the locker room.”
CROSSOVER CURSE
Winnipeg is considered the underdogs against Montreal, but for more than not being hot down the stretch.
It’s the first time the Bombers have been the crossover squad after finishing fourth in the West. Twelve teams have crossed over in the past, but none have ever made it to the Grey Cup.
Collaros said it’s “pretty cool” they’ve got the opportunity to do what no team has done before, yet he knows it’s tough to win on the road. Winnipeg was 3-6 this season away from home.
“You’ve got to be really locked into your process, very concise with your time, your time management, all those things are very important,” he said.
“Montreal in and of itself is a very tough place to play. They do a great job, the crowd there is awesome and they make it loud and tough to communicate and all those things, and they have a great football team.”
Collaros joined the Bombers late in 2019, when the team won two playoff games on the road before capturing the Grey Cup to end the franchise’s 28-season championship drought.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 28, 2025.
Judy Owen, The Canadian Press
