The Toronto Argonauts will have to wait a little longer for Chad Kelly to be back on the field.
Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie confirmed that the team is looking at Week 7, when Toronto comes off its bye week, as "the best case scenario" for the former CFL Most Outstanding Player to be able to play.
“Obviously [we’ve] got to get him through the bye week,” Dinwiddie told Sportsnet.ca after practice Friday. “Hope for the best for that next week, but until we get him on the field getting live reps in practice, I don’t really have a clear answer right now.”
Kelly has been working his way back from a leg injury suffered in last year's East Division final. His recovery timeline was impacted by a toe infection that he had during training camp, which delayed his ability to rehab the injury.
Dinwiddie said that Kelly was working with his personal trainer in order to try and get the strength back in his leg. According to the Argos coach, Kelly went from about 40 to 70 per cent.
There has been a noticeable difference in Kelly's participation in practive over the last few weeks but not to the level that he is capable of.
“He came back, and as you can see, the twitch and the bounce are in his step,” Dinwiddie said. “The strength’s not quite there all the way, but he’s getting there.”
On a more encouraging note, the Argos do expect to get a couple of key veterans in the lineup.
Returner Janarion Grant is trending toward being available for Sunday’s matchup, barring any late setbacks. His return has been noticeable on special teams, where the Argos have struggled without the dynamic returner.
“Last year, you saw Janarion change a bunch of games,” said Dinwiddie. “Field position helps us out offensively. We get a shorter field, and we’re already in field goal range… It’s deflating for the opponent.”
Also returning to the fold is DaVaris Daniels, who missed the Week 3 game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders with a hip injury.
Dinwiddie believes Daniels could've tried to push through but ultimately they decided to play it safe.
On defence, Wynton McManis is still sidelined with a knee injury, and there is hope that he can be an option against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in Week 5.
“We probably could have maybe pushed him this week,” Dinwiddie noted. “I think it’s too early to do that at this stage of the season to jeopardize him for future games.”
Following the loss to Saskatchewan, Dinwiddie was critical of his team's lack of discipline and subpar play.
As the Argos prepare for a key stretch of divisional games in the East, Dinwiddie emphasized the importance of mental resilience and leadership, especially with key players sidelined.
“It’s tough when your top two leaders aren’t playing on offence and defence—and Janarion on special teams,” he said. “Some younger guys have to step up and lead by example.”
