The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will once again be without their star running back Brady Oliveira when they face the Edmonton Elks this weekend, marking the second consecutive game he’ll miss due to injury. The absence of the 2023 CFL rushing leader creates a significant gap in the Bombers’ offensive strategy as they prepare for what could be a pivotal matchup in their season.
Head coach Mike O’Shea confirmed yesterday that Oliveira’s recovery timeline remains uncertain, though the team remains optimistic about his return in the coming weeks. The 26-year-old Winnipeg native has been a cornerstone of the Bombers’ ground attack, and his continued absence raises questions about the team’s offensive capabilities against an Elks defense that has shown improvement in recent weeks.
Further complicating matters for the Bombers is the questionable status of receiver Nic Demski, who has been limited in practice this week with what team sources describe as a lower-body injury. Demski’s potential absence would remove another key playmaker from quarterback Zach Collaros‘ arsenal, potentially forcing Winnipeg to rely more heavily on their depth players.
“We’ve got guys who can step up,” O’Shea told reporters after Thursday’s practice. “That’s why we build this roster the way we do—to handle situations exactly like this one.”
Johnny Augustine is expected to handle the majority of the backfield duties in Oliveira’s absence, coming off a solid performance last week where he rushed for 76 yards on 14 carries. While Augustine doesn’t possess Oliveira’s combination of power and explosiveness, his vision and patience could prove effective against an Elks run defense that ranks in the middle of the CFL pack.
If Demski can’t suit up, look for Canadian receiver Dalton Schoen to see an increased target share, with the Bombers potentially elevating a practice squad receiver to bolster their depth at the position. The team has been practicing various personnel groupings throughout the week to prepare for multiple scenarios.
The timing of these injuries is particularly challenging as Winnipeg finds itself in a tight race in the West Division standings. Every game takes on added importance as the season progresses toward the playoffs, and divisional matchups like Saturday’s contest against Edmonton carry additional weight in the final standings.
The Blue Bombers’ medical staff continues to take a cautious approach with both players, understanding that rushing them back too soon could lead to longer-term absences. For a team with championship aspirations, ensuring key contributors are healthy for the stretch run remains the priority, even if it means navigating through some short-term challenges.
Kickoff between the Bombers and Elks is scheduled for 7:00 PM CT on Saturday at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg.
