Argos name Chad Kelly starting QB vs. Elks

Photo: Bob Butrym/3DownNation. All rights reserved.

The Toronto Argonauts have officially listed Chad Kelly as their starting quarterback for Friday’s clash with the Edmonton Elks.

Kelly has completed 223 of 325 passes in his first season as a starter, throwing for 3,396 yards, 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He has also rushed for eight more touchdowns along the ground. The team has yet to lose a game that he has both started and finished.

Toronto rested Kelly in last week’s loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, choosing instead to test backup Cameron Dukes. The team is reportedly planning to be more conservative with Kelly’s usage in road games down the stretch, though it is unclear how much action he’ll see at home on Friday.

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Returning to the lineup after one-game absences are defensive tackle Shawn Oakman (healthy scratch) and weakside linebacker Wynton McManis (ankle). McManis has been the leader of Toronto’s defence since joining the team last offseason, notching 70 defensive tackles, three sacks and three interceptions, including a pick-six last week. Oakman has dressed for 11 games in a relatively quiet 2023 season, registering 18 tackles, four sacks and a forced fumble.

In a corresponding move, defensive end Brandon Barlow and defensive tackle Dewayne Hendrix will be healthy scratches. Barlow has amassed 27 total tackles and seven sacks in 11 games this season, while Hendrix has notched 20 tackles and six sacks in 13 games.

The Argos (12-2) will host the Elks (4-11) on Friday, October 6 at 7:00 p.m. EDT. Toronto recorded a 43-31 victory over Edmonton back in Week 3.