Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros says ankle good to go for Grey Cup

Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros shakes hands with teammates during a walk through in Regina, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will be playing against the Toronto Argonauts in the 109th Grey Cup on Sunday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

REGINA -- Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros says his ankle, which has been under much scrutiny during Grey Cup week, didn't regress after his lone practice in Regina.

Collaros rolled his right ankle when he was tackled in the fourth quarter of the CFL's West Division final last Sunday.

He sat out Winnipeg's first two practices after landing in Regina before taking to the field Friday.

With his ankle taped for support, Collaros threw off his back foot in the pocket and tossed a few passes on the run in his last chance to really test the ankle before Sunday's clash with the Toronto Argonauts.

"I thought it responded really well," Collaros said Saturday following Winnipeg's walkthrough.

The Blue Bombers have won back-to-back Grey Cups with Collaros as their starter and chase a three-peat with him Sunday at Mosaic Stadium.

The 34-year-old Collaros won the CFL's Most Outstanding Player for the second time in as many years.

His ankle bent when he was sacked by B.C.'s Sione Teuhema in the West final.

With a heavily wrapped joint, Collaros attempted to return to the field for Winnipeg's final drive, but a pronounced limp sent him quickly to the sidelines.

The quarterback said he didn't panic about his Grey Cup participation in that moment.

"I think initially you just pray for the best and all the tests came back really positive," said Collaros, who credited Winnipeg's medical staff for its handling of the injury.

"After the initial two or three minutes of it, I wasn't too worried about it."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 19, 2022.