The Toronto Argonauts had to close out the East semifinal without their million-dollar man.
Quarterback Chad Kelly exited Saturday's 25-22 post-season loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers after suffering an apparent upper-body injury.
Kelly had looked hurt for some time, appearing to favour his throwing arm after being hit and fumbling in the third quarter. He stayed in the game, took another big hit and was ultimately replaced at the 9:43 mark in the fourth by backup Nick Arbuckle.
Up to that point in the game, Kelly had completed 18 of his 30 passes for 193 yards and a touchdown.
Head coach Mike Miller did not reveal specifics of Kelly's injury while talking to reporters post-game but did admit he believed the star QB was hurt during that drive in the third quarter.
"I believe (he was hurt on the play he fumbled). I haven’t talked to our trainers beyond that. (He) wasn’t able to go back in,” Miller explained. “I’m always truthful ... that’s all the information. I have no information at all on the condition he’s in."
Arbuckle, who threw for 25 yards and 2-of-6 passing in place of Kelly, later added that he "was aware that (Kelly’s) shoulder wasn’t feeling great. His arm got pulled back as he was throwing the deep ball that turned into the fumble.”
The 32-year-old Kelly signed a five-year extension earlier this week, keeping him in Toronto through the 2031 season.
The injury isn't a first for Kelly in the playoffs. In 2024, he suffered a leg injury in the East Final, forcing him to miss the entire 2025 season.
Arbuckle replaced Kelly in Toronto's 30-28 win over Montreal, then guided the Argos to their 41-24 Grey Cup victory over Winnipeg, earning game MVP honours.
— with files from The Canadian Press
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