Injured Collaros Out, Dru Brown to Start for Blue Bombers Against Argos

Winnipeg Blue Bombers starting quarterback Zach Collaros will be sidelined for Friday's game against the Toronto Argonauts due to a neck injury. This marks an opportunity for Dru Brown to start at quarterback for the Blue Bombers on home turf, though the game will officially count as a road game for him.

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I would always come in relief. I’m looking forward to it. This is exactly the environment that you want to play in front of. It’s the best environment in the league.

Brown, who spent three years in Winnipeg without a starting opportunity, expressed his excitement to play in front of the home crowd. "This is exactly the environment that you want to play in front of. It's the best environment in the league," Brown stated. He was traded to Winnipeg in late June after losing his starting job with the Ottawa Redblacks.

The game presents an unusual scenario as it will be held at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg but is designated as a home game for the Toronto Argonauts. Toronto's usual venue, BMO Field, is unavailable as it recently hosted World Cup events.

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Just really excited to play with the group of guys that we have here. I love it here. I got a lot of love for the coaches and the organization as a whole. My feelings are I just want to do right by them. Ultimately, just go out there and compete and do my best.

Collaros sustained the neck injury on the first play of the second quarter during Winnipeg's narrow 14-13 road victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats last Sunday. Canadian rookie Taylor Elgersma replaced Collaros in that game, leading the Bombers to a win with 11-for-15 passing for 86 yards and a touchdown. Despite Elgersma's performance, head coach Mike O'Shea opted not to dress Brown for that game, citing his limited familiarity with the playbook after only a week with the team.

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With Dru, you’d always be confident in his ability to execute out there because of his experience and his professionalism. We just thought the best chance at the moment would be a guy who’d been through the whole training camp and knows everything.