Veteran Argos QB Matt Nichols ‘pretty darn close’ to being 100 percent

Photo courtesy: Scott Grant/CFLPhotoArchive.com

Veteran Toronto Argonauts quarterback Matt Nichols has been progressing with his shoulder rehab.

Argos’ head coach Ryan Dinwiddie receives regular videos from Nichols displaying his advancement towards a full recovery following surgery.

“I’m sure he doesn’t feel completely 100%, but he’s pretty darn close,” Dinwiddie told Toronto Sun reporter Frank Zicarelli.

The veteran pivot left Winnipeg’s Week 10 win against B.C. last season favouring his right arm and shoulder. Nichols was hurt when he was strip-sacked by Shawn Lemon in the fourth quarter of the Bombers’ 32-16 victory.

The 32-year-old had an impressive 15-5 touchdown to interception ratio, but didn’t eclipsed the 300-yard mark in 2019. Nichols was playing consistent football, completing more than 71 per cent of his passes when he was on the field. Chris Streveler was the starter until the final game of the regular season when Zach Collaros took over and led the Bombers to their first Grey Cup championship in 29 years.

Through 10 CFL seasons, Nichols has passed for 18,363 yards, 108 touchdowns versus 60 interceptions while completing 66 percent of his attempts. He’s added 617 yards on 140 carries with 13 touchdowns on the ground.

Nichols signed a three-year contract with Toronto in February and plans on starting at QB for the double blue if there is a season in 2020.