The Hamilton Tiger-Cats could have a new quarterback under centre when they host the Toronto Argonauts on Friday night.
TSN’s Matthew Scianitti reported that Matthew Shiltz took first-team reps in practice on Wednesday while Dane Evans watched in street clothes. Farhan Lalji added to his colleague’s report, saying he’s “hearing that Shiltz is expected to be the starter … while Evans nurses an injured shoulder.”
Evans has started all eight of Hamilton’s games this season, completing 67.4 percent of his passes for 2,229 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He has also carried the ball 27 times for 115 yards, leading the team to a 2-6 record.
The Ticats recently started employing a two-quarterback system with relative success, allowing Shiltz to take on an increased role. His production through the air is limited — he’s completed 66.7 percent of his passes for 125 yards and one interception — but has run the ball well, carrying it 22 times for 110 yards and a touchdown.
Shiltz signed with Hamilton as a free agent following a four-year stint with the Montreal Alouettes during which he served as a backup behind a number of different quarterbacks. He has dressed for 58 career CFL games, completing 61.7 percent of his passes for 1,991 yards, eight touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He started three games for the Als in 2021, posting a 2-1 record with wins over Ottawa and Toronto.
The Ticats (2-6) are scheduled to host the Argonauts (4-3) at Tim Hortons Field on Friday night with kickoff slated for 7:30 p.m. EDT. The clubs met at BMO Field last week with Toronto coming out with a 34-20 victory.
