Cameron Judge, Dakoda Shepley return for Toronto Argonauts’ home-opener

Photo: Raphael Williams-Claudio/RWC Photography/3DownNation. All rights reserved.

The Toronto Argonauts will return home to BMO Field on Thursday with a couple of key pieces back in the lineup.

Canadian linebacker Cameron Judge is slated to dress after missing the past three games with head and hamstring injuries. He made 11 defensive tackles and four special teams tackles through four starts this season. The nine-year veteran has made 446 defensive tackles, 30 special teams tackles, 18 sacks, nine forced fumbles, seven interceptions, and two defensive touchdowns over 122 career regular-season CFL games.

American rookie Owen Goss, who served as Judge’s replacement, has been placed on the six-game injured list due to a shoulder issue. He has recorded 11 defensive tackles, three special teams tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble in seven games. Canadian rookie Jalen Rayam has been demoted to the practice roster, as American rookie James Neal dresses for further depth behind Judge.

Along the offensive line, highly-touted offseason addition Dakoda Shepley will be back after recovering from a back injury that has pulled him in and out of the lineup this year. The former NFLer will take back his usual spot at right guard, with Peter Nicastro shifting back to centre.

Domenico Piazza, who had started at centre, has been bumped to the practice roster, while rookie Keegan O’Neil has been released, making room for the recently-acquired Chris Kolankowski to make his debut as the sixth man. Rookie Frank Vreugdenhil remain on the roster as a seventh offensive lineman.

 The Toronto Argonauts (3-4) will host the Calgary Stampeders (4-4) at BMO Field on Thursday, August 6, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EDT. This marks the first true home game for the Argos this season after being displaced by the FIFA World Cup. Toronto enjoyed a bye following a 26-12 win over the B.C. Lions in Week 8. Quarterback Chad Kelly left that game early with a neck injury, but he will start for the Double Blue.

The game will be broadcast on TSN and CTV in Canada and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune in on 770 CHQR in Calgary or TSN 1050 in Toronto.

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