Argonauts QB Kelly leaves win over Lions early with neck injury

Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly left Saturday’s 26-12 win over the BC Lions in the late stages of the first half after suffering a neck injury. Kelly scrambled his way out of the pocket with just over two minutes remaining in the second quarter, and was hit in the head/neck area by Lions linebacker Darnell Sankey after initiating a slide to give himself up. Sankey would be flagged for roughing the passer on the play, while Argos offensive lineman Peter Nicastro and Lions defensive back Ronald Kent Jr. were handed unnecessary roughness penalties for their actions in a scrum that broke out after the hit. The Toronto quarterback was taken back to the locker room for evaluation after being tended to by the team’s training staff, and was later ruled out for the remainder of the contest. Kelly threw for 197 yards and two touchdowns with the Argos leading 17-6 before giving way to backup quarterback Nick Arbuckle. Arbuckle completed 13 passes for 134 yards in relief as the Argonauts went on to snap their three-game skid with the win over the Lions. Kelly, the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player in 2023, missed the entirety of last season while recovering from surgery after fracturing his tibia and fibula in the 2024 Eastern Final against the Montreal Alouettes. Arbuckle would then fill in for Kelly in the 111th Grey Cup, earning MOP honours in their victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and would serve as Toronto’s starter for the 2024 season with Kelly sidelined. Kelly has completed 162 passes for 2,323 yards this season, throwing 17 touchdowns to nine interceptions in seven games played since returning under centre for the Argonauts to begin the year. Toronto (3-4) is on bye next week before returning to BMO Field for a home date with the Calgary Stampeders.