Collaros, Kramdi out for Blue Bombers' matchup against Stampeders

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are set to face the Calgary Stampeders on Friday, but will be without key starters Zach Collaros and Redha Kramdi. Collaros is sidelined for a third consecutive game with a neck injury, while Kramdi is dealing with a hand injury and has been placed on the six-game injured list.

Jake Kelly will assume the starting safety role in Kramdi's absence. Kelly, in his fourth season with the team, recorded his first career interception last week and has appeared in all six games this year as a backup. This will mark his fourth career CFL start.

"I think it represents an opportunity," Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea told reporters. "He’s a guy that’s been getting lots of snaps for us and can play a bunch of different spots, and understands what we’re doing. He’s going to communicate well and it’s going to be pretty damn good."

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I think it represents an opportunity. He’s a guy that’s been getting lots of snaps for us and can play a bunch of different spots, and understands what we’re doing. He’s going to communicate well and it’s going to be pretty damn good.

Quarterback Dru Brown will lead the Bombers' offense for the third straight game. The team has secured victories in their last three contests, but their starts have been a point of concern, having turned the ball over on their first possession in each of those games. "I think that there’s a level of focus that we need to sustain throughout the whole game," Brown said. "And I think right now what everyone sees is that, right? But at the end of the day, I’ve started fast before. I’ve been on teams that start fast and then don’t do anything for the rest of the game, right. So, it’s kind of like, it’s tough sometimes. Obviously, we want to clean that up."

The Blue Bombers have also activated five players, taking four off the injured list. Receiver Kevens Clercius will back up Gavin Cobb, and defensive back Ethan Ball, defensive tackle Tanner Schmekel, and linebacker Lane Novak will make their season debuts.

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I think that there’s a level of focus that we need to sustain throughout the whole game. And I think right now what everyone sees is that, right? But at the end of the day, I’ve started fast before. I’ve been on teams that start fast and then don’t do anything for the rest of the game, right. So, it’s kind of like, it’s tough sometimes. Obviously, we want to clean that up.