RIDERS TO ADD ANOTHER BACK?

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have released international running back Will Ford.

Ford spent the last two seasons in Winnipeg and was a CFL East Division all-star last year. He rushed for 594 yards and three touchdowns on 113 attempts last season and added 1,047 yards and two touchdowns on kick returns.

Ford became expendable with the emergence of Nic Grigsby, who leads the CFL with three rushing touchdowns and is second with 218 yards through three games.

Running back Paris Cotton is also back in the lineup after suffering a knee injury in a pre-season game. He returned six kicks for 157 yards in Winnipeg’s 34-33 win in Montreal on Friday.

**Both the Winnipeg Sun’s Kirk Penton and Sportsnet’s Arash Madani are reporting Ford will be signing with the Saskatchewan Roughriders this week.

Rider Assistant GM Jeremy O’Day told the SportsCage on Monday that while they’ve made contact with Ford’s agent, no deal has been completed yet.

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WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers say it’s time to set aside their last-minute win over the Montreal Alouettes last Friday and get ready for the Edmonton Eskimos, who also sport a 3-0 CFL record.

Coach Mike O’Shea says he expects their most physical game yet when they meet Thursday in Winnipeg

The Bombers moved back to the CFL West this season and Edmonton is the first western team they’ve played.

Quarterback Drew Willy says it’s an important game and they’re treating it as such.

Meanwhile, they could be without receiver Aaron Kelly, who didn’t practice Monday and was getting checked out by physicians after reporting knee issues again.

HAMILTON, Ont. – The Hamilton Tiger-Cats will be without their starting quarterback when they take on the Calgary Stampeders at McMahon Stadium on Friday.

Ticats head coach Kent Austin said after practice that Zach Collaros will miss Hamilton’s next game due to injury. He also said there is no timeline for Collaros’ return, and a decision on who will start versus Calgary will be made later in the week.

Austin says he is hopeful that receiver Andy Fantuz, who suffered a concussion in the pre-season, will be able to play Friday.

Collaros was injured during the second quarter of the Ticats’ Week 2 loss in Edmonton. The 25-year-old was flattened by a helmet hit to the chin by Eskimos defensive lineman Odell Willis and was taken out of the game. He did not return.

Austin would not say whether the injury was a concussion.

“It’s a combination,” Austin said. “He had a hit to the head and his back’s hurting as well. So, I’m careful not to give exact medical opinions on everything, but he’ll be out this week for sure.”

Collaros has completed 23 of his 41 passes for 212 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions through two games this season.

The Tiger-Cats also announced Sunday that they had signed international quarterback Jacory Harris and international offensive lineman Jeremy Lewis.

Hamilton is 0-2 this season.

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TORONTO – The Toronto Argonauts are expected to learn Tuesday if receiver Chad Owens will be able to play this week.

Owens had an MRI on his foot Monday after being injured in the club’s 34-15 home loss to Calgary on Saturday.

Owens did not practise when the club reconvened Monday as his foot was in a walking boot.

Argos head coach Scott Milanovich told reporters he’ll await the results of the MRI before deciding on Owens’ status.

The Argos (1-2) are in Ottawa (0-2) on Friday night in the expansion Redblacks’ home opener.