Canadian football news: Zach Collaros is listed as the starter and a game time decision for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Saturday’s East Final against the Montreal Alouettes, and the call will go right down to kickoff in Montreal.
By Maplestime Sports Desk | Winnipeg, Manitoba | November 6, 2026
Sources: TSN, Sportsnet, 3DownNation | Last updated: November 6, 2026
Key Takeaways
- Zach Collaros, 38, is listed atop the Bombers depth chart as the starter, with a game time decision designation, for Saturday’s East Final in Montreal.
- Collaros hurt his ribs in the 34 to 10 win over the B.C. Lions on October 23 and missed the 25 to 22 East Semifinal win over Toronto.
- He was limited in Wednesday’s closed practice and did not practise Thursday. Dru Brown starts if Collaros cannot go.
- Running back Brady Oliveira, ankle, was limited in both sessions this week but is listed as the starter.
- Kickoff is 3:00 p.m. ET Saturday at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium. Winnipeg is 10 and 9, Montreal is 14 and 4.
Depth Chart Lists Collaros First, With a Catch
The Bombers released their depth chart on Friday morning, and it tells two stories at once. Collaros is the starter on paper. He is also a game time decision, which means the team will not know for sure until Saturday whether its starting quarterback can play.
Collaros moved from the one game injured list back to the active roster this week. In the matching move, Taylor Elgersma went to the reserve roster. That is the clearest sign yet that Winnipeg believes its veteran quarterback has a real chance to play.
What Happened to Collaros
Collaros hurt his ribs late in the third quarter of the season ending 34 to 10 win over the B.C. Lions on October 23, when Lions defensive lineman Nathan Cherry sacked him. The hit drew a roughing the passer flag. Collaros left the game and did not return.
He missed the East Semifinal in Toronto on October 31, a 25 to 22 Winnipeg win that came down to the final minute. This week, the Bombers did not practise Tuesday, held a closed session Wednesday in which Collaros was a limited participant, and held an open session Thursday in which he did not practise at all.
Head coach Mike O’Shea would not name a starter earlier in the week, saying the decision would come when the depth chart was released Friday. Now the depth chart is out, and it still leaves the door open either way.
Brown Waits in the Wings
If Collaros cannot go, Dru Brown starts. Brown started the semifinal and completed 18 of 30 passes for 206 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in the 25 to 22 win over Toronto. He also started in relief against B.C. on October 23, completing all 11 of his passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns after Collaros went down.
For his career, Collaros is 11 and 8 as a starter against Montreal, while Brown is 0 and 3, according to CFL statistician Steve Daniel. That record is part of why this decision matters so much.
What Is at Stake Saturday
Winnipeg visits Montreal on Saturday, November 7, at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium, with kickoff set for 3:00 p.m. ET. The Alouettes finished 14 and 4 and host the East Final. The Bombers finished 10 and 9 and reached it as the crossover team. The clubs split their two regular season meetings, each winning at home.
A win sends Winnipeg to the Grey Cup. A loss ends the season. And the biggest question of the week still has no final answer until Saturday afternoon.
Maplestime will provide updates from the East Final as announcements are made.
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Do you think Collaros should start hurt, or should the Bombers trust Dru Brown with the season on the line? Tell us in the comments. And share this with every Canadian following the CFL playoffs this weekend.
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