(Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports)
Reigning CFL Most Outstanding Player Chad Kelly will make his season debut Thursday when the Toronto Argonauts host the struggling Saskatchewan Roughriders.
The league suspended the quarterback for at least nine regular-season games on May 7 after an investigation found he violated rules on “gender-based violence.”
Kelly, 30, was reinstated by the CFL on Sunday and apologized for his behavior two days later.
Argonauts coach Ryan Dinwiddie announced Tuesday that Kelly will start at quarterback against the Roughriders despite participating in only three practices.
“I wanted to see (him on Tuesday) and about halfway through practice I made up my mind,” Dinwiddie said, according to the Toronto Star.
Kelly led the Argonauts to the 2022 Grey Cup title and a 16-2 record last season before throwing four interceptions in the Eastern final.
The nephew of former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly takes over a team that is 5-4 overall and 4-1 at home in 2024.
Toronto improved both totals with a 39-25 win over the Calgary Stampeders on August 9 before entering a week off.
While the Argonauts hope they’re on the rise, the West-leading Roughriders (5-4-1) are mired in a 0-3-1 losing streak, including two losses to the Montreal Alouettes in that stretch, including a 27-24 loss last Friday when kicker Brett Lauther missed four of his seven field goal attempts.
“It’s obviously a tough call. Losing the game on our own was tough for the guys. A lot of people in this organization work hard – not just the players and coaches, but also the fans and the people who are involved. To do something like that is unacceptable,” Lauther said.
Saskatchewan quarterback Trevor Harris topped the CFL’s honour roll on Tuesday after completing 31 of 39 passes for 355 yards and two touchdowns. He returned to the starting lineup after suffering a knee injury on June 23.
Running back AJ Ouellette returned from a three-game absence against the Stampeders but was ruled out for Thursday’s game with a hip injury. Frankie Hickson is expected to start against the Argonauts.
Saskatchewan recorded a 30-23 win over Toronto on July 4.
–Field level media
