The Toronto Argonauts are welcoming back a number of impact players at a convenient time in their schedule, according to the team’s depth chart.
Henoc Muamba is slated to return for the Argos after missing three games due to a hamstring injury. The league’s reigning Most Outstanding Canadian recorded 24 total tackles, one sack, and one interception in the team’s first six games as the starting middle linebacker.
Canadian rookie Trevor Hoyte replaced Muamba in Toronto’s two most recent contests, making 11 tackles. Former Edmonton Elks’ linebacker Vontae Diggs replaced Muamba for the first game he was out, but he was released after just one game with the Argos.
Charleston Hughes will also reenter the starting lineup after sitting out two consecutive games as a healthy scratch. The 37-year-old had an uncharacteristically slow start to the season, recording 18 total tackles and two sacks in six games.
The future Hall of Fame inductee appeared to fall victim to the numbers game as Travis Feeney, Cordarro Law, Kony Ealy, and Shane Ray drew larger roles in the defence. Ealy, Law, and Ray were added to the one-game injured list this week, creating an opening for Hughes. The release of former NFL defensive end Eli Harold may have also been a factor.
On the flip side, the Argos will be without ratio-breaking right tackle Jamal Campbell who is out due to a quad injury. American lineman Trevon Tate will start in his place, which means Toronto will start two Canadians along the defensive line to compensate.
Fourth-year veteran Fabion Foote will start at defensive tackle, while second-year man Robbie Smith will make his first start of the year at defensive end.
The Argos are slated to visit the Montreal Alouettes on Friday, Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m. Vernon Adams Jr. remains out for the Als with a shoulder injury, which means Matthew Shiltz will make his second consecutive start at quarterback.
