Wilson focused on being ready

Terry Wilson is a popular guy in Winnipeg these days.

“I’ve been hearing, man,” said the third-string quarterback for the Blue Bombers after Tuesday’s practice.

With starter Zach Collaros (head injury) out of action and No. 2 arm Chris Streveler struggling Friday in Hamilton against the Tiger-Cats in a 32-21 loss, fans wasted no time taking to social media to say they want to see Wilson in action.

“I mean, it’s outside noise, really. I try to stay away from it,” said Wilson. “It can be a distraction at times, but I’m just trying to stay locked in.”

Head coach Mike O’Shea didn’t budge. He rolled with Streveler till the end and said afterward he gave no consideration to giving Wilson a look.

“That’s not up to me. But whenever they do call my number, I’ll be ready to go out there and have some fun,” said Wilson.

“I feel like I’m dynamic, and at the end of the day, I just want to win.”

Streveler is also trying to block out the noise from those curious about Wilson’s abilities. He’s completed 88-of-134 attempts for 1,013 passing yards, six touchdowns, and 10 interceptions this season.

“I don’t pay attention to that. I’m worried about doing my job. We put two good drives together at the end of the game,” said Streveler.

“So, whoever people are, that’s their opinion, they’re entitled to their opinion. I’m going to focus on what I can do coming in here, working my tail off every single day and getting better.”

Wilson is the great unknown. The second-year Bomber has dressed in 31 games regular season games but has attempted just one pass — a completion for four yards. His last significant game reps came more than two years ago in his lone start for the USFL’s Houston Gamblers when he threw for 117 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for 42 yards in a 27-20 win over the Birmingham Stallions.

The 27-year-old from Oklahoma City bounced around in college between Oregon, Garden City Community College, Kentucky, and finally New Mexico before the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys invited him to their rookie mini-camp in 2022.

Wilson had to beat out a pair of vets in Shea Patterson and Jake Dolegala to hang on to the No. 3 job this season.

“It’s frustrating, man, for sure. But, I’d rather be fully ready to go once my number is called instead of being unprepared,” said Wilson.

“All I can do during this time is prepare and prepare and make sure that I am ready to go. I definitely have some fire up under me, I’m ready to go out there and sling it. But when that time comes, it’ll come, and I’ll be ready to go.”

WIDE OPEN WHEATFALL

It’ll be the easiest touchdown Keric Wheatfall ever scores.

With the Bombers in a third and short situation in Friday’s first quarter in Hamilton, the Tiger-Cats lined up incorrectly — and also had an extra man on the field and one that was offside — and left the receiver all alone at the sideline. Wheatfall got the attention of Streveler, who was supposed to plunge forward for a first down on a sneak, and the quarterback zipped the ball over to him for a 42-yard catch and run for the score.

“My first thought was ‘Don’t drop the ball, I’m open. I’m this wide open, so let’s catch it and get in the end zone,’” said Wheatfall.

“It’s actually crazy because it’s probably the first time in my whole football career that I was that open. It was a good moment.”

GETTING HEALTHY

Defensive back Jamal Parker and receiver Jerreth Sterns were limited participants at Tuesday’s practice. Defensive back Michael Griffin II (knee) was a non-participant.

Parker has missed the previous six games with a leg injury. A shoulder injury has kept Sterns out of the lineup for three weeks.

The Bombers (6-7) are in Ottawa on Saturday to take on the Redblacks (4-9) at 2 p.m. CT.

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca