Chad Kelly will return as the Toronto Argonauts starting quarterback for Friday’s game against the Ottawa Redblacks.
Kelly saw the majority of first-team reps in practice Wednesday as he worked to return from a hand injury that kept him out of the team’s last game two weeks ago. He was officially listed as the team’s starter on the depth chart Thursday.
Kelly was a late scratch for the team’s 24-17 loss to the BC Lions in Week 18. TSN’s Dave Naylor reported that the team had expected Kelly to be ready for the game, but had to pivot late in the week and go with backup Nick Arbuckle.
Kelly has thrown for six touchdowns and 667 yards in two games against the Redblacks this season - a 44-24 victory in Ottawa in Week 3, and a 26-23 victory in Toronto in Week 15.
The 32-year-old pivot is third in the CFL with 5,067 yards passing through 15 games on the season - already a career high - with 33 touchdowns and 24 interceptions. He’s thrown for multiple touchdowns in six consecutive contests, and has exceeded 400 yards passing in four separate games this year.
The Argonauts, who have clinched second place in the East, will close out their season against the Montreal Alouettes on Oct. 23.