DB Jake Kelly to make first career CFL start at safety for Winnipeg Blue Bombers vs. Argonauts

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Jake Kelly will make his first career CFL start at safety when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the Toronto Argonauts on Friday night.

The Canadian defensive back was a second-round pick in the 2023 CFL Draft out of Bishop’s University. He has since dressed for 18 regular season games with the Blue Bombers, recording four defensive tackles, 10 special teams tackles, and one forced fumble. The 25-year-old will start in place of the injured Brandon Alexander.

The five-foot-eleven, 179-pound native of Markham, Ont. was one of the top testers at the CFL Combine last year, running a 4.56-second forty-yard dash and leaping 40.5 inches in the vertical jump. At the U Sports level, he recorded 60 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 16 pass knockdowns, three interceptions, two touchdowns, one forced fumble, and 29 punt returns for 250 yards over 25 games.

Brandon Alexander, Winnipeg’s longtime starting safety, has been moved to the one-game injured list with a hand injury. It’s unclear whether the injury is short-term or long-term as players can’t be added to the six-game injured list this late in the regular season.

Rookie linebacker Michael Ayers has also been moved to the one-game injured list with a hip injury with Brian Cole taking over the starting job at weak-side lineback. Bryce Notree, the former member of the Montreal Alouettes who was signed this past week, will dress in a depth role.

Winnipeg has won eight straight games and can clinch first place in the West Division with a victory over the Argonauts. The two teams haven’t met since late July when a Tarvarus McFadden pick-six fueled a 16-14 Toronto win at BMO Field.

This week will mark Chad Kelly’s first career start against Winnipeg as he was suspended during their first meeting. He has gone 3-3 as a starter this season, throwing for 1,917 yards, six touchdowns, and eight interceptions.

The Blue Bombers (10-6) will host the Toronto Argonauts (8-7) at Princess Auto Stadium on Friday, Oct. 10 with kickoff slated for 8:30 p.m. EDT.