It looks like the B.C. Lions and Winnipeg Blue Bombers are going to play without previous winners of the CFL’s most outstanding player award in the Week 9 opener on Thursday.
Lions rookie quarterback Kaidon Salter took the majority of first-team reps at the team’s first practice of the week Monday, per JC Abbott of 3DownNation, and appears poised to make his first career start Thursday in Winnipeg.
Lions star QB Nathan Rourke, the 2025 CFL MOP, was placed on the six-game injured list last week with a shoulder injury to his non-throwing arm. He was listed as limited on Monday’s injury report.
Chase Brice started last week against the Argos, but was ineffective and replaced by Salter late in a 26-12 loss. Salter, who played his final college season for Colorado last season, completed nine of 15 passes for 121 yards against the Argos.
Lions head coach Buck Pierce chose not to confirm his starter after Monday’s practice, Abbott reported.
The Lions (1-5) are in desperate need of a win to stay afloat in the West Division.
Meanwhile, Blue Bombers star QB Zach Collaros (neck) was not dressed for Monday’s practice, Derek Taylor of 680 CJOB Winnipeg reported.
That would put Dru Brown in position to make his fourth consecutive start in place of the two-time MOP for the Blue Bombers (4-3).
Brown is 2-1, but is coming off a four-interception outing in a 52-30 loss to the Calgary Stampeders.