Bombers' Oliveira out for 2nd straight game as Winnipeg hosts Edmonton Elks

Dan Ralph · The Canadian Press

· Posted: Jun 25, 2025 5:40 PM EDT | Last Updated: 3 hours ago

Zach Collaros and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers person proven to beryllium excessively overmuch for the Edmonton Elks implicit the years.

Winnipeg (2-0) hosts Edmonton (0-2) connected Thursday, having won the past 12 head-to-head matchups betwixt the West Division rivals. Quarterback Collaros is 15-6 successful his vocation against the Elks, including 11 consecutive wins — the past 10 with the Bombers.

Edmonton's past regular-season triumph implicit Winnipeg came connected Nov. 3, 2018.

But Winnipeg volition beryllium minus standout moving backmost Brady Oliveira again this week. Oliveira, 27, ran doubly for 49 yards successful the Bombers' season-opening 34-20 triumph implicit the B.C. Lions connected June 12 earlier leaving the contest.

He didn't return, and Canadian rookie Matthew Peterson took over, moving for 130 yards and a touchdown successful Oliveira's absence.

Oliveira missed past week's rematch with B.C., which Winnipeg won 27-14. Peterson rushed for 42 yards connected 11 carries successful that contest.

The Bombers mightiness besides beryllium without Canadian receiver Nic Demski, who's a game-time decision. The seasoned has 5 catches for 54 yards and 2 touchdowns this season.

Collaros was 18-of-25 passing for 179 yards and 2 TDs successful his regular-season debut, but besides threw 2 interceptions. Defensive backs Evan Holm (seven tackles, interception) and Jamal Parker (six tackles, interception, fumble recovery) were some coagulated versus B.C.

It's been a pugnacious commencement for Edmonton, which dropped a 38-28 location determination past week to the Montreal Alouettes (3-0). The Elks trailed 28-6 going into the 4th fourth earlier outscoring the visitors 22-10.

Tre Ford threw for 308 yards and 2 TDs with an interception for the Elks portion rushing 3 times for 31 yards and a touchdown.

Steven Dunbar Jr. (seven targets, 7 catches for 97 yards) proved to beryllium Ford's favourite people portion Justin Rankin ran for 76 yards connected 12 carries.

Cornerback Tyrell Ford — duplicate member of Elks backmost Tre Ford — faces his erstwhile squad for the archetypal time. He played with the Bombers successful 2022 and 2024, and finished 2nd successful the CFL with 7 interceptions past season.

Edmonton volition beryllium minus centre David Beard.

Winnipeg leads the league successful fewest points allowed per crippled (17), portion Edmonton sits last, giving up 34.5.