BY ARASH MADANI
sportsnet.ca

In the wake of losing their top two remaining quarterbacks to injury Saturday in a 27-8 home loss to end their playoff hopes, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers have told veteran quarterback Kerry Joseph they are not interested in his services.

There was speculation that the CFL's most outstanding player in 2007 may be headed to Manitoba after the Bombers saw both Steven Jyles and Alex Brink go down with shoulder injuries Saturday.

But Joseph, who won a Grey Cup with Saskatchewan under Paul LaPolice's offensive system three years ago, was told late Saturday that he is not part of the Blue Bombers immediate plans.

Winnipeg has two games left before ending their third consecutive season with a worse record than the year prior.

Winnipeg is in Edmonton next week before wrapping up their schedule at Canad Inns Stadium Nov. 5 against the Calgary Stampeders.

If Jyles and Brink are unable to play, the Blue Bombers are left with 24-year-old rookie Joey Elliott, who until Saturday had never taken a meaningful snap in professional football before being pressed into emergency duty in the second half of the loss to Toronto.

It is yet another puzzling personnel decision for a franchise that went from a Grey Cup appearance in 2007 (10-7-1 season) to this regression at 4-12.

Winnipeg is 1-9 this season against East division opponents and have had unreliable quarterback play consistently for two consecutive seasons, in part due to injury, and in part for simply not upgrading the position.

With Winnipeg out of the picture, Joseph remains a solid option for a team that requires a quarterback for the playoffs should they find the need in case of injury. The Louisiana native has expressed interest in returning to the CFL and is a free agent who is able to play after the trade deadline.