TORONTO — The Toronto Argonauts will be without their starting quarterback for a key game.
Chad Kelly has been ruled out with a hand injury for Saturday's game against the B.C. Lions at BMO Field.
Kelly missed practice on Tuesday and was a limited participant the rest of the week.
The injury was a bit of a surprise, as Kelly took every snap in the Argos' win in Winnipeg last week.
Kelly leads the league in passing yards (5,067), touchdowns (33) and interceptions (24). He has started all 15 of Toronto's games this season after missing the entire 2025 campaign with a serious leg injury suffered in the 2024 CFL East final.
Argos head coach Mike Miller did not get into specifics about the severity of Kelly's injury but said the team felt it was important to be cautious with its starting quarterback.
"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."
Miller said the decision was the result of conversations with Kelly throughout the week, rather than a single discussion on Friday.
With Kelly out, Nick Arbuckle will start the Week 18 matchup. The veteran started the Argos' win in the 2024 Grey Cup when Kelly was out and was also the team's starter last season.
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."
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.
Miller also said the Argos will not overhaul their 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."
The Argos have dealt with injuries throughout the season, and 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."
The Argos (9-6) are trying to chase down the Montreal Alouettes (11-3) for first place in the East.
The Lions (8-6) are tied for second in a tight West Division.
Toronto has also yet to lose at home this season, and Arbuckle joked about the added pressure.
"Oh yeah, no pressure at all," he said.
Arbuckle's last start came on Oct. 4 of last year in Toronto, when he fractured his shoulder. Saturday's game falls 364 days later.
"Not that same result," Arbuckle said. "But it's cool to, you know, one year apart, last start to first start this season."
