Published Sep 06, 2025 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated 21\u00a0hours ago \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 4 minute read<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n If there was any doubt left about a changing of the guard in the CFL West, the Saskatchewan Roughriders<\/a> left it flattened on the turf in Winnipeg on Saturday \u2014 wearing No. 8.<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Exclusive columns by Ryan Stelter, Paul Friesen, Ted Wyman, Scott Billeck, Lorrie Goldstein, Warren Kinsella and others. Plus newsletters: Gimme Stelter for your beat on the city, The Exit Row for all your Jets news and On the Rocks for curling.Unlimited online access to Winnipeg Sun and 15 news sites with one account.Winnipeg Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.<\/p>\n SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Exclusive columns by Ryan Stelter, Paul Friesen, Ted Wyman, Scott Billeck, Lorrie Goldstein, Warren Kinsella and others. Plus newsletters: Gimme Stelter for your beat on the city, The Exit Row for all your Jets news and On the Rocks for curling.Unlimited online access to Winnipeg Sun and 15 news sites with one account.Winnipeg Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Account<\/p>\n or<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n The picture of quarterback Zach Collaros prone and motionless after a blindside hit late in the third quarter was of more concern, even, than the 21-13 Blue Bombers loss.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n And that\u2019s saying something. Because the result squashes Winnipeg\u2019s chances of another first-place finish and leaves second place a long reach away, too.<\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t just teammates kneeling on the field out of concern as Collaros remained down.<\/p>\n Riders quarterback Trevor Harris was on a knee right next to his former teammate.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s heartbreaking,\u201d Harris said, post-game. \u201cI pray that Zach\u2019s OK. I know early on in his career he had quite a few of those, and so across the league everybody will probably join up in prayer for Zach. He\u2019s a close friend of mine. I came in the league with him.\u201d<\/p>\n The Winnipeg Sun’s Daily Headline News<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Harris\u2019 reference to \u201cone of those\u201d became clear in his next response.<\/p>\n \u201cHopefully it\u2019s not what everybody thought it would be, a concussion. You don\u2019t want that for anybody. We all have long lives. He\u2019s got three beautiful kids, an awesome wife. Hopefully he can bounce back. Hopefully he\u2019s OK.\u201d<\/p>\n It was a blitzing C.J. Reavis, left untouched, who belted Collaros, his head making contact with the quarterback\u2019s. There was no immediate penalty flag on the play \u2014 it wasn\u2019t a dirty hit \u2014 but the Bombers challenged the non-call and the result was a roughing-the-passer penalty.<\/p>\n It\u2019s the third time Collaros has been knocked from a game this season, the Bombers labelling the last two a neck injury.<\/p>\n This time, even his head coach was struck by how long he was motionless.<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, he doesn\u2019t stay down, usually,\u201d Mike O\u2019Shea said. \u201cIt\u2019s not comforting, by any means. I hate to see that. I\u2019m sure he\u2019ll be OK. When, I don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n The first person to take a knee next to their fallen teammate was running back Brady Oliveira.<\/p>\n Oliveira had picked up one blitzer from the other side and didn\u2019t see the other demolish his quarterback from the blind side.<\/p>\n We apologize, but this video has failed to load.<\/p>\n Play Video<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s brutal again,\u201d the tailback said. \u201cA guy that does everything right. Puts in preparation to the max. Just concerning if anyone goes down. You just hope that they get up. Hope that they give you any sign that they\u2019re OK, they can get up and they can move on to the next play.\u201d<\/p>\n Collaros didn\u2019t return and soon the lead his team had held since the first quarter was gone, never to return.<\/p>\n Advertisement 5<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cWith the hits that he\u2019s taken, it sucks just to see him down there,\u201d receiver Nic Demski said. \u201cI\u2019m just glad he was walking around after.\u201d<\/p>\n That\u2019s the good news: When he did eventually get up, with some help, Collaros ended up jogging to the tunnel leading to the locker-room.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s Zach letting everybody know, \u2018Hey, I\u2019m still here, I\u2019m still a warrior,\u2019\u201d Demski said. \u201cHe\u2019s the man.\u201d<\/p>\n But can he be the man again next week, when the 6-6 Bombers wobble into Hamilton to face the top team in the East?<\/p>\n The margin for error for this team has disappeared, at least if it wants to host a playoff game.<\/p>\n There are those who\u2019ll suggest Collaros shouldn\u2019t play again, period \u2014 hello, former Bombers great and current TSN panelist Milt Stegall.<\/p>\n Advertisement 6<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Saturday night was too soon to ask anybody in blue and gold that question. They were just worried about their friend and teammate.<\/p>\n \u201cIt really sucks,\u201d veteran O-lineman Pat Neufeld said. \u201cAnd that\u2019s the unfortunate part about this game, is stuff like that happens. And to a guy I consider one of my closest friends and brothers on the team, you hate to see it happen.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s an incredibly, incredibly tough competitor and I know he\u2019s going to fight like hell to work to get back.\u201d<\/p>\n But what would he come back to?<\/p>\n This team is a shell of its former self, unable to beat anybody who\u2019s really good \u2014 winless in five games against the Riders and Calgary this season.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re either going to improve and get to where we want to get to, or we\u2019re not,\u201d O\u2019Shea said. \u201cI just bet on our guys that we\u2019re going to improve. I mean, what\u2019d we lose by \u2014 eight?\u201d<\/p>\n Advertisement 7<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Yup. That was the number of the night.<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n Blue Bombers lose Collaros and then lose to the Roughriders in the Banjo Bowl<\/p>\n![\"Blue](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/CP174961244-e1757211781469.jpg\")
A Blue Bombers receiver makes a catch while being tackled by the Saskatchewan on Saturday night. Photo by John Woods \/The Canadian PressArticle content<\/p>\n![\"Winnipeg](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/19.4.3\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-wsun-new.svg\"){kind=logo}
<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/19.4.3\/websites\/images\/newsletters\/icon-sun-headlineNews.svg\"\/){kind=icon}
<\/p>\n![\"Loading...\"](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/19.4.3\/websites\/images\/common\/icon-spinner-animated.svg\"){kind=icon}
<\/p>\n![\"Winnipeg](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1757289743_625_68bcbb6d276f9001cbb29b39jpeg-e1757209774953.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
![\"Saskatchewan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/bombers.jpg\")
<\/p>\n