Injury-Riddled CFL Game Ends with Both Starting Quarterbacks Exiting

Summary:

• Zach Collaros left the Hamilton TigerCats VS the Winnipeg Blue Bombers game in the second quarter with an upper-body injury.
• Bo Levi Mitchell was stretchered off and taken away by ambulance after injuring his left leg.
• Both teams finished the game with backup quarterbacks after the injuries to their veteran starters.

Dramatic game in the Canadian Football League during the matchup between the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Sunday, with both starting quarterbacks forced out of the game with serious injuries.

Collaros Was Injured by Hamilton Defender 

Winnipeg quarterback Zach Collaros left the game early in the second quarter after suffering an upper body injury during a sack by Hamilton defender Reggie Stubblefield.

The play where Collaros is presumed to be injured. #Bombers https://t.co/g1QXDFteLb pic.twitter.com/uAjseVYaOb

— Darrin Bauming (@DarrinBauming) July 6, 2026

Collaros was able to walk off the field under his own power and remained on the sideline wearing his helmet while rookie Taylor Elgersma took over at quarterback. 

By halftime, however, a team official confirmed the 37-year-old veteran would not return to the game.

Mitchel Was Taken by an Ambulance 

The situation became even more concerning midway through the third quarter when Hamilton quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell was injured after being sacked by Winnipeg defensive lineman Jake Ceresna.

Ceresna landed on Mitchell’s left leg during the play, leaving the 36-year-old quarterback on the turf while medical personnel attended to him. After receiving treatment on the field, Mitchell was placed on a stretcher and transported by ambulance.

Before leaving the field, Mitchell gave fans a thumbs up, drawing applause from the crowd.

Bo Levi Mitchell gives a thumbs-up to fans as he’s stretchered off the field after suffering a leg injury vs. Winnipeg.#CFL pic.twitter.com/be2pQ5ITNi

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) July 6, 2026

The incident led to an approximately 18-minute delay before play resumed.

Veteran quarterback Tre Ford, who joined Hamilton as a free agent during the offseason, replaced Mitchell for the remainder of the game.

Mitchell has dealt with significant injury setbacks before. He missed much of the 2023 season after suffering a lower leg fracture during his first year with Hamilton.