Bo Levi Mitchell will be back under centre when the Hamilton Tiger-Cats take on the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Saturday.
The 33-year-old has officially been named the team’s Week 18 starter after missing the last eight games with a fractured leg suffered against the Ottawa Redblacks on July 28. The injury occurred on the second-last offensive play of the game as Mitchell executed a quarterback sneak near Hamilton’s end zone.
The two-time CFL Most Outstanding Player has completed 57.7 percent of his passes for 714 yards, three touchdowns, and nine interceptions in three starts this season, posting a 1-2 record. He previously missed four games this season with an adductor injury.
In 10 seasons with the Calgary Stampeders, Mitchell threw for 32,541 yards with 188 touchdowns and 89 interceptions while winning a pair of Grey Cups. His rights were traded to Hamilton this offseason, where he signed a three-year contract extension worth over $1.5 million.
Rookie Taylor Powell has started nine games in place of Mitchell this year, including the past eight consecutive contests, but was benched last week for veteran backup Mattew Shiltz. The Eastern Michigan product posted a 4-5 record as a starter, completing 68.5 percent of his passes for 2,177 yards, 10 touchdowns, and seven interceptions to help Hamilton clinch a spot in the playoffs. He has also rushed for 196 yards and one touchdown.
Powell will not suit up for this game, with Shiltz serving as the backup and Kai Locksley handling short-yardage duties.
This game also marks the return of defensive tackle Dylan Wynn, bumping Jarrod Hewitt out of the lineup. A three-time East Division all-star, Wynn has struggled with injury this season and has just two tackles in four appearances.
Canadian receiver Tyler Ternowski (shoulder) has been ruled out and will be replaced as a starter by Chris Osei-Kusi. Linebacker Enoch Penney-Laryea will draw in to satisfy the ratio, while Noah Zerr will replace Jakob Szott as the seventh offensive lineman.
The Ticats (7-8) will visit the Saskatchewan Roughriders (6-9) on Saturday, October 7 at 7:00 p.m. EDT. This is the first and only meeting between the teams this season.
