Nick Arbuckle to start for Argonauts as Chad Kelly ruled out with hand injury

Explainer

The Toronto Argonauts will start quarterback Nick Arbuckle on Saturday after ruling out Chad Kelly with a hand injury.

Kelly, who leads the CFL in passing yards (5,067), touchdowns (33) and interceptions (24), missed practice Tuesday and was limited the rest of the week.

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Head coach Mike Miller said the decision to sit Kelly was made after conversations throughout the week, rather than a single discussion on Friday.

"We felt we wanted to be smart too and looking down the road," Miller said. "Chad's very responsible. Again, he's an outstanding teammate, and all his decisions are always what's best for the club."

Arbuckle said he did not know for certain he would be starting until Friday morning.

"About 8 a.m. this morning," Arbuckle said. "Chad's such a tough guy and a warrior. He was progressing throughout practice and taking some more reps each day. I was preparing to start, but truly didn't know it might actually happen until this morning."

How will the Argos' offence change?

Miller said the team will not overhaul its offence with Arbuckle under centre.

"We run our offence," Miller said. "There might be a couple of plays here or there that are already on the list that Nick might have a different preference for. But other than that, the system's in, and we run our offence."

Miller said the approach remains the same with Kelly unavailable.

"We've experienced injuries and guys out of the lineup all over the team, and it's about next man up," Miller said. "All guys in backup roles know that they're one or two plays away. And Nick's certainly no different."

Arbuckle said being named the starter gives him more input into the game plan, but does not fundamentally change how the offence operates.

"The one thing that changes as you are actually starting is you have a little bit more of a voice when it comes to the game plan," Arbuckle said.

The Argos lead the league in passing yards (354.5 per game), 30-plus yard completions (33) and passing touchdowns (34), while standing third in net offence (413 yards).

What is Nick Arbuckle's history with the Argos?

Arbuckle, a six-foot, 213-pound American, is in his ninth CFL season and third with Toronto.

He made 15 regular-season starts for the Argos last year and has 40 career CFL starts.

In 2024, he replaced an injured Kelly in the East Division final, leading Toronto past Montreal 30-28. The following week, he was named MVP of the Argos' 41-24 Grey Cup victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Arbuckle turns 33 on Saturday, and his last start came on his birthday last year in a 47-29 loss to Hamilton, when he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury.

"It's cool that my last start … was Oct. 4 here on my birthday," Arbuckle said. "Three-hundred and sixty-four days later, we're back. Not the same result, but it's cool one year apart from the last start to the first start this season."

Last season, Arbuckle completed 72.4 percent of his passes for 4,370 yards, 26 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.

Garbutt Disposal reported on Thursday that Kelly was questionable for the game with the hand injury.

What is at stake in Saturday's game?

The Argos (9-6) are trying to chase down the Montreal Alouettes (11-3) for first place in the East Division and have clinched a home playoff date.

The Lions (8-6) are tied for second in a tight West Division, just ahead of the Saskatchewan Roughriders (8-6), Winnipeg Blue Bombers (7-7) and Calgary Stampeders (7-8).

Toronto has won four straight games and is 4-0 at home this season. B.C. has won its last two games and seven of its last eight overall.

This is the second meeting this season. Toronto earned a 26-12 road victory on Aug. 23, a game in which Arbuckle saw action in relief of Kelly, completing 13-of-20 passes for 134 yards and rushing twice for 28 yards.

B.C. will have starter Nathan Rourke under centre for Saturday's game. He missed the first meeting.

Arbuckle said he has an extensive history with B.C. defensive co-ordinator Mike Benevides, having crossed paths as opponents and teammates.

"I'd say he's up there with the most scheme-heavy defensive co-ordinators out there," Arbuckle said. "He always comes out with a new wrinkle, new blitzes, new coverages almost every week and he's very game-play centric for the offence he's facing. You've got to be ready to see new things and have new answers, answers for things you haven't repped against. He keeps you on your toes; it's always a tough battle when the time comes to face him."

Kelly has been placed on the one-game injured list. Tucker Horn will be Arbuckle's backup, while Paxton DeLaurent has been promoted from the practice roster to serve as the third-string quarterback.

Kickoff at BMO Field is scheduled for 3 p.m. EDT on Saturday.

With files from The Canadian Press, Sportsnet and The Globe and Mail