Focus shifts to seasoned quarterback Kelly upon Argos' resumption from their bye week

In the heart of the Canadian Football League (CFL) season, the Toronto Argonauts are gearing up for a significant return. Chad Kelly, the CFL's outstanding player in 2023, is expected to make his comeback on Saturday.

Kelly, Toronto's head coach and offensive coordinator, Ryan Dinwiddie, initially stated that Kelly was week-to-week, but emphasized the importance of his full recovery over rushing him back to play. This decision was made following a leg injury Kelly sustained in last year's East Division final, an injury that kept him sidelined for a considerable period.

In his fourth season with the Argonauts, Kelly has proven to be a formidable force on the field. He has completed 471 of 697 passes (67.6%) for 6,871 yards in 45 career CFL regular-season games, with 35 touchdowns and 23 interceptions. His impressive stats include a 2023 season where he passed for 4,123 yards with 23 TDs, earning him the league's outstanding player award.

During Kelly's absence, Nick Arbuckle has taken the reins. Arbuckle has started all of Toronto's regular-season games this season and has been a consistent performer. He leads the CFL in passing yards (3,828 yards) and 30-yard completions (24) and stands second in TD passes (23). However, he has also been sacked a league-high 32 times this season, a statistic the team will be eager to improve upon with Kelly's return.

The Argonauts' ground game has struggled this season, ranking last overall (56.6 yards). Arbuckle has been Toronto's second-leading rusher with 150 yards and two TDs, but Kelly's return could provide a much-needed boost in this area. Kelly has also rushed 113 times for 599 yards (5.3-yard average) and 19 TDs in his career, showcasing his versatility as a quarterback.

Toronto remains very much in the East Division playoff picture with six regular-season games remaining. Hamilton (7-5) currently tops the division, with Montreal (5-7) in second, just two points ahead of both Toronto and Ottawa (4-8). The Argonauts still have home games remaining with Montreal (Sept. 19) and Hamilton (Oct. 4), key matches that could significantly impact their playoff prospects.

Arbuckle led Toronto to a Grey Cup win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers last November and was named the game MVP. With Kelly's return, the Argonauts will be hoping for a repeat performance as they aim to secure a spot in the playoffs and potentially defend their Grey Cup title.

Focus shifts to seasoned quarterback Kelly upon Argos' resumption from their bye week