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![\"Ethan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/3553393_web1_CP174691968.jpg\")
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Ethan Cairns \/ THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES<\/p>\n
Winnipeg Blue Bombers receiver Dalton Schoen had torn the ACL in his left knee in Week 5 this season, but opted to not get surgery.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe could\u2019ve had surgery however many weeks ago, but he put the team first,\u201d said quarterback Zach Collaros.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know if there\u2019s an example of a receiver trying to play through an injury like that. And then, as well as he played last game, I think he still won every rep that he took. I just love the guy, he\u2019s so tough, and cares so much about his teammates, and specifically cares about the people in this building \u2014 that\u2019s why he lays his body out on the line. I can\u2019t say enough good things about Dalton.\u201d<\/p>\n
Through his first two seasons, Schoen was arguably the top pass catcher in the league. He exploded onto the scene with 70 catches for 1,441 yards and 16 touchdowns as a rookie and followed that up with a sensational sophomore showing with 71 grabs for 1,222 yards and 10 touchdowns. Since then, he\u2019s been limited to just eight games \u2014 three in 2024 and five in 2025.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe decision he made is one that other guys make. They just want to play for their teammates and lay it on the line for them, and he worked his ass off to try to get in position to try and do that and it just didn\u2019t work out,\u201d said head coach Mike O\u2019Shea.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe difference between him doing it and a lot of other guys doing it is his injury is a lot tougher to overcome. A tremendous effort, and it just goes to show you the sacrifice these guys make for their teammates. The desire for them to do everything they can to help their team win and then sometimes it just doesn\u2019t work out. So, from a human side, it just stinks.\u201d<\/p>\n
Schoen has been bit by the injury bug in three straight years. He suffered a serious foot injury at the end of the regular season in 2023 but managed to defy the odds and suit up for that year\u2019s Grey Cup in Hamilton \u2014 a 28-24 loss to the Montreal Alouettes.<\/p>\n
Schoen, 28, is not under contract for 2026.<\/p>\n
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\u201cDalton is a true pro\u2019s pro. He does everything right behind the scenes,\u201d said running back Brady Oliveira.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverything from getting all his workouts in throughout the week, mastering the small details when it comes to his craft at the receiver position, being a leader in this offence, eating the right food, getting the right sleep, like he truly does everything right. And when you see that happen to guys like that where he just hasn\u2019t had the right luck the last number of years missing too many games, you wonder why, right? Why does it happen to a guy like that? He does everything right.\u201d<\/p>\n
Life without Schoen begins Saturday when the Bombers (6-5) host the Saskatchewan Roughriders (9-2) for the annual Banjo Bowl at Princess Auto Stadium (3 p.m. CT). Despite not being fully healthy, Schoen managed five catches for 58 yards and a touchdown in the first meeting with the Riders, which ended as a heartbreaking 34-30 loss.<\/p>\n
\u201cDalton\u2019s a major piece of who we are and what we wanted to be this season and moving forward,\u201d said Collaros. \u201cWe got to attack things differently now.\u201d<\/p>\n
taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca<\/p>\n
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Taylor Allen Taylor Allen is a sports reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. Taylor was the Vince Leah intern in the Free Press newsroom twice while earning his joint communications degree\/diploma at the University of Winnipeg and Red River College Polytechnic. He signed on full-time in 2019 and mainly covers the Blue Bombers, curling, and basketball. Read more about Taylor<\/a>.<\/p>\n Every piece of reporting Taylor produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print \u2014 part of the Free Press\u2018s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press\u2019s history and mandate<\/a>, and learn how our newsroom operates<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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