The Winnipeg Blue Bombers opened their practice week with all eyes fixated on one man and his status for Friday’s showdown in Hamilton against the Tiger-Cats — quarterback Zach Collaros.

And just for the record, the Blue Bombers QB1 — a two-time Canadian Football League Most Outstanding Player and future hall of famer — spent Tuesday’s session playing the role of spectator, dressed in sweats, a t-shirt and ball hat while Chris Streveler was at the controls of the offence. And when the daily injury report was released later in the afternoon, Collaros was listed with having a ‘head’ injury after exiting Saturday’s Banjo Bowl loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders after a crushing hit from CJ Reavis.

Injury Report: September 9, 2025#ForTheW | @DoctorsManitoba pic.twitter.com/fOJv9BGcDT

— Winnipeg Blue Bombers (@Wpg_BlueBombers) September 9, 2025

And so, while there are dozens of talking points swirling around the Blue Bombers right now following a two-game losing skid against the arch-rival Riders, from offensive production in the second half, to a horrid turnover differential, the most important by far is whether No. 8 will be behind centre Friday.

“He’s out here today. We’ll see,” said head coach Mike O’Shea. “It’s one of those things where you check with him every afternoon, you check with him again in the morning to see how they make it through the night.

“As humans we should always be concerned as to whether people are OK,” he added when asked of Collaros’ overall health. “I’m always tight-lipped because, personally, I don’t think it’s anybody’s business about Zach’s state right now. It’s going to sound argumentative, but I’m just not a guy that looks at what’s happened before — I look at each one in everybody’s case. You look at a guy who might do an Achilles and then he had a broken finger… I don’t look at those two things together.”

And when it was pointed out that head injuries are different, O’Shea countered with: “Now you’re speculating. Be careful.”

O’Shea would not confirm whether he expected Collaros to miss time, adding, “We’ll see. We’ll see as the day goes on.”

Like it or not, the speculation has been rampant since Collaros left Saturday’s game — under his own steam, and also being spotted in the locker room afterward, for what it’s worth — including from Blue Bombers legend Milt Stegall, now an analyst on the CFL on TSN’s telecast. Saturday night Stegall said, “I’m basing this on that we’re thinking he suffered a concussion. It hasn’t been disclosed what he suffered; I’m basing it on he’s suffering a concussion. Zach Collaros should not step on the field again.”

“That’s pretty cavalier to say that,” said O’Shea after practice Tuesday. “Not knowing… we’re not medical professionals. We don’t have any understanding of that — I’m saying the media. I would have a better understanding of what’s going on. I think it’s cavalier to say that and it puts undue pressure on a person’s family and their circle.”

FYI, Wednesday’s practice session is closed to the media, so Blue Bombers fans won’t get an official answer on the status of Collaros until Thursday when the depth chart is released prior to the team departing for Hamilton. O’Shea did say it’s not necessary for Collaros to practice before getting the tap on the shoulder to start if he is green lighted by the medical staff.

“You know me — I don’t think vets need a lot of practice,” he said. “But as of anything, any time a guy gets nicked up we are always going to put the player first.”

Streveler is 2-0 as a starter this season, helping lead the Blue Bombers to a season-opening win over the B.C. Lions with Collaros serving a one-game suspension and was then at the helm when the club knocked off the Toronto Argonauts at home in early August. His numbers sparkled in his first start, as he completed 15-of-24 for 246 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. In the second, not so much as he went 17-of-21 for 173 yards with three picks.

Asked after practice Tuesday if he was confident he could lead the team against the Ticats and get them back on track, Streveler didn’t waste a breath with his answer.

“Absolutely, man. Absolutely,” he said. “I think the guys in this locker room are confident, too. This is a long season, an 18-game season. And when you have a season this long you need everybody, and people know that coming into the season. So, whenever your number is called, whenever you get that opportunity the thought is you’re going to step up and help the team and do whatever is necessary to get a win.

“I’m just always looking to get better. I’m not going to do a year’s synopsis right now — we’ve got a lot of meat left on this bone. So, we’ve got to go to work every day. I’ve got to get better and everybody on this team is looking to get better. We’ve got to continue to get better to win football games and that’s what we’re working at.” — Chris Streveler

In addition to his two starts this season, Streveler has also been rushed into service in three other games Collaros wasn’t able to finish. Whatever his numbers or how it looks to outsiders, he does have the collective confidence of the men staring back at him in the offensive huddle and in the building.

“He’s awesome. He’s a natural leader and it’s just the energy he brings on a daily basis to practice and he’s proven that he wins games for us when he’s in,” said O’Shea. “I’m not in the huddle with him — I wish I could be. I imagine it would just give me a little extra juice. It leaks out of him, right? He steps in the huddle and there’s confidence he’s going to lead the offence and execute well but if something were to break down the players understand he’s going to give everything he’s got and someone’s going to pay for it.”

“We have so much confidence in him because he’s confident,” added veteran guard Pat Neufeld. “He’s extremely confident in his abilities, he’s the most optimistic dude I know. The vibes are always high with him and that’s what he brings to the huddle. He loves the game; he loves going out there playing and we all know that’s a guy who is going to go out there and lay it all on the line.

“We’re all going to try to do the same thing.”

FYI: Deatrick Nichols was also among the list of those who did not practice on Tuesday, with Dexter Lawson, Jr. moving inside to take some reps there and Demerio Houston manning the corner… Gabe Wallace was back at left guard with the starting offence. He dressed for Saturday’s Banjo Bowl and had some reps, but the spot was manned primarily by Micah Vanterpool.

ICYMI: Another great chat with veteran dime back Redha Kramdi on the weekly edition of The Huddle. For those who may have missed it live on the Blue Bombers YouTube channel or on ‘X’, you can watch it here: