The Toronto Argonauts gave quarterback Cameron Dukes first-team reps at practice on Tuesday, according to Matthew Scianitti, who also reported that Chad Kelly could play at some point but will not start against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Friday.
Toronto and Winnipeg haven’t met since last year’s Grey Cup at Mosaic Stadium in Regina when the Argos upset the two-time defending champions by a score of 24-23. Kelly entered the game late after McLeod Bethel-Thompson suffered an injury and helped lead the game-winning drive, which ended in a five-yard touchdown run from A.J. Ouellette.
The Argos have already clinched first place in the East Division, sitting atop the standings with a 12-1 record. The club rested Ouellette against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats this past week and will continue to strategically sit veteran players in advance of the playoffs. It appears as though Kelly’s turn will come this week.
The Blue Bombers opened as short favourites against Toronto, though the line has swung dramatically as a result of Kelly potentially being rested. Dukes has only seen action in one game this year as he completed eight-of-fifteen pass attempts for 63 yards and one interception in a loss to the Calgary Stampeders.
Andrew Harris, who left his hometown team in free agency after the 2021 season, is unlikely to play as he was recently added to the six-game injured list due to an issue with his knee. This would have been the veteran running back’s first game in Winnipeg since departing the city as Toronto didn’t visit IG Field last season.
Winnipeg is currently tied for first place in the West Division with the B.C. Lions as the teams sport matching 10-4 records. The season series between the two teams is currently tied at one game apiece and will be decided on Friday, Oct. 6 when the clubs meet at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver.
The Toronto Argonauts (12-1) will visit the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (10-4) on Friday, Sept. 29 with kickoff slated for 8:00 p.m. EDT. A crowd of 32,343 is expected as the game has already sold out.
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