Collaros vague about status

Mystery surrounds who will start at quarterback for Saskatchewan on Sunday in the West Division semifinal despite the Roughriders’s social media account saying otherwise. The team announced on Twitter that Zach Collaros would make his 15th start of the season against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers after speculation surrounded his health all week.

Collaros, however, wouldn’t say who will start between him or Mississauga native Brandon Bridge. He wouldn’t even say if he would dress.

“I can’t say anything, no,” Collaros told reporters Saturday.

Collaros was hurt in the Riders’ regular season finale on Oct. 27 against B.C. after taking a hit late in the first quarter from Odell Willis.

Collaros passed concussion test protocol and practised all week. The team’s QB depth chart lists Collaros at the top followed by Bridge, David Watford and new signing Drew Tate.

Only three quarterbacks can dress in the game.

“We prepare both quarterbacks to play and that’s it,” head coach Chris Jones said.

“You have to have them both ready because if one of them can’t play, and quite honestly you’re a play away from that happening every single week, you better have two prepared.”

Saskatchewan was without Collaros for four games earlier this season after he suffered a concussion in Week 2. The team went 2-2 in his absence.

Collaros has thrown for 2,999 yards, nine touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 14 games this year. Bridge appeared in eight games for the Riders and threw for 804 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions.

Collaros said he feels fine and is excited at the prospect of playing in Saskatchewan’s first home playoff game since the 2013 Grey Cup.

“This is why you play the game to play in big moments like this,” he said.

Centre Brendon LaBatte said it doesn’t make a difference who is starting as he’s given snaps to both players several times this year.

“At least from what we hear in the huddle, there’s no difference between the two,” LaBatte said. “It’s a little bit different tone of voice, but that’s really where it ends.”

The winner of Sunday’s game will play the Calgary Stampeders in the West final next Sunday.