Lions at Bombers June 22, 2023

[B.C.FAN]

Dominique Rhymes has officially been ruled out for Thursday’s game with a foot injury that forced him to miss both practices this week. It looks like Lucky Whitehead will be back in the lineup after being a full participant on Monday and Tuesday. The Lions haven’t reported any new injuries other than the players on the 6-game list.

The Bombers have a long injury list, including RB Brady Oliveira (doubtful, thorax) and WR Dalton Schoen (questionable, hip, although he practised Tuesday).

Injury reports

[PGSSS74]

Oliviera and Schoen are firecrackers on offence, so that could be a good thing for the Leos.

[B.C.FAN]

The Lions have released their depth chart for Thursday. The only personnel change is that Whitehead is in and Rhymes is out, but receivers have been shuffled around. Whitehead returns to his usual boundary wideout position, and Hollins moves back to his field wideout position. McInnis moves from boundary slotback to Rhymes' position on the field side. Ayden Eberhardt takes over the boundary slotback position, which typically gets the most targets in a B.C. offence, and has been occupied over the years by the likes of Geroy Simon, Manny Arceneaux, Bryan Burnham and Keon Hatcher. This may not mean much, since the receivers can line up anywhere, but it will be interesting to see who gets the most targets.

There are no changes in the starting defence that shut out Edmonton last week.

Lions' depth chart and roster

[Hambone]

Oliviera and Schoen are firecrackers on offence, so that could be a good thing for the Leos.

Schoen was a full participant yesterday so looks like he will be in. Oliviera was DNP and was listed as doubtful. That should get cleared up later today after Winnipeg gets in their final practice and submits their roster. DB Demario Houston has been ruled out for "non-injury related" reasons.

[B.C.FAN]

Schoen as a starter on the Bombers' depth chart. Oliveira is also listed as a starter but marked as a game-time decision. Former B.C. DT Miles Fox has been taken off the roster, so the Bombers could activate American RB Greg McCrae if Oliveira can't go.

[SammyGreene]

During the Tuesday night radio show Campbell mentioned his team not trying to be too amped for this game, referring to week 4 a year ago when BC came flying out of the gates with 3 straight wins only to come crashing back down to earth when the Bombers jumped out to a huge early lead and cruised to a big win here.

Just hoping for a competitive effort tonight and the defence providing a good level of resistance for a Bomber offence that has looked almost unstoppable so far. After a tough start, they did hold up well for much of the Western Final albeit in much different weather conditions.

People also need to remember no team made Rourke look ordinary like the Bombers did in those early July and Western Final games. That's why they need to have success running the football even more so with 2 of their top receivers out.

[squishy35]

The biggest key to success is to get to Collaraos fast, early and often. Bottom line, the effectiveness of the D-Line give the Lions the best chance of pulling out a win tonight.

[Rammer]

Bombers are physical, the Lions will be hard pressed to match the level the Bombers bring.

Only way I see the Lions pulling out a win is by getting turnovers and capitalizing on them. Lions will be better by years end, but Bombers have been together for a long time, while the Lions are growing into that currently.

Add in some key offensive injuries and I chalk this game up to a measuring stick opportunity.

All the best to the Lions tonight though.

[Ryan_USA]

Hey all!

American fan here since 2018! Love football and thought it would be cool to have a team to watch during the NFL's offseason haha and for the most simplest of reasons: Picked the Lions because I absolutely loved their color scheme and uniforms. Also,a, librarian by trade and pretend home brewer. Redskins...sorry ugh...Commanders are my NFL team.

Looking forward to chatting Lions ball with you all and I think tonight we can sneak a win. They are very tough at home, but if we come to play, cause a turnover or two, and get in Collaros' face, anything can happen.

[SammyGreene]

Sounds like the Lions may see the Bombers’ #1 RB after all:

The @Wpg_BlueBombers have activated DT Miles Fox for tonight's game. Brady Oliveira is still a game-time decision, but this move means that import RB Greg McCrae will not be activated for depth.

Also will be holding my breath on every Grant return. He murdered the Lions last year and last week proved he remains in elite form

[TheLionKing]

Establishing the run game is key IMO. Ball control, keep the ball away from the Bomber offence

[Ryan_USA]

Let's go boys! Almost game time.

[SammyGreene]

Woody Baron makes up for major penalty with nice 2nd down knockdown to hold Bombers to 3. But BC run defence vulnerable early.

[TheLionKing]

Touchdown. Excellent start

[Rammer]

Nice response.