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Published Oct 28, 2025 • Last updated 4 hours ago • 3 minute read
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Winnipeg Blue Bombers receiver Nic Demski remains sidelined with a hamstring injury during practice ahead of Saturday’s East Division semifinal in Montreal. The Winnipeg native led the team this season with 1,001 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Photo by James Carey Lauder /Winnipeg Blue BombersArticle content
The potential return of receiver Nic Demski to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ lineup for the start of the playoffs took a hit on Tuesday.
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Nursing a hamstring injury, Demski remained on the sidelines as his team returned to practice ahead of Saturday’s East Division semifinal in Montreal.
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Winnipeg’s passing attack, already at the bottom of the CFL with an average output of 235 yards per game, would be further hamstrung without its leading receiver.
Demski went down during an Oct. 11 loss in Edmonton, missing the last two regular-season games.
The 31-year-old Winnipegger caught 67 passes for 1,001 yards and seven touchdowns this season, all team-leading totals and the third straight year he’s eclipsed 1,000 yards.
Fellow Canadian Gavin Cobb caught six passes for 51 yards filling in for Demski the last two games.
Joining Demski as a spectator at Tuesday’s practice was backup quarterback Chris Streveler, who suffered a knee injury early in Saturday’s win over the Alouettes.
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Streveler’s social media post after the game implied his injury was significant, and the reaction of his teammates as they returned to the field did nothing to alleviate the concern.
“I was heartbroken,” quarterback Zach Collaros said. “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. I just love Chris, and everybody loves Chris, but I get to work very closely with him, day in and day out. So I understand his work ethic and how much he cares about this sport and how much he cares about this organization and his teammates.
“So it was very tough to watch.”
The offence’s short-yardage specialist, Streveler scored a team-high nine touchdowns on the ground this season.
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Collaros says he’s more than that, and will be missed as the 10-8 Bombers try to reach another Grey Cup the hard way, via a cross-over playoff spot – something that hasn’t been done in 12 previous tries, all by West Division teams.
“Difficult,” Collaros acknowledged. “He’s an emotional leader for us, for sure. 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.”
Running back Brady Oliveira echoed the emotions Collaros expressed about seeing Streveler injure the same knee that ended his 2024 season prematurely.
“It just hits different when it’s one of your guys,” Oliveira said. “A guy that I spend a lot of time with outside of this building. Just rattled for the guy. The guy does everything right. He’s the definition of a true pro’s pro. So to see a guy go down like that, yeah, brutal. But the guy’s been through so much adversity… not worried about him for what he has to face.”
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Streveler’s absence leaves the short-yardage duties to second-year CFLer Terry Wilson.
It could also provide some motivation for a team that could use all the help it can get to win back-to-back playoff games on the road and get a chance to play for a championship on their home field.
“We wouldn’t have that discussion… I’m sure he wouldn’t want us to have a discussion like that,” Collaros said. “But, shoot, if you need to add another chip to your shoulder or something to motivate you, that’s something you could certainly look at… you find a way to do another rep, you find a way to watch another half hour of film, whatever that looks like for you.
“Thinking about Chris and what he’s going through right now can certainly motivate you.”
A host of other players who were rested for the last game were full participants in Tuesday’s practice, including rookie kick returner Trey Vaval, receiver Ontaria Wilson, linebacker Redha Kramdi, defensive ends Willie Jefferson and James Vaughters and O-lineman Stanley Bryant.
paul.friesen@kleinmedia.ca
X: @friesensunmedia
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