Argos coach Mike Miller mum on Chad Kelly’s injury, status for season finale

TORONTO – Head coach Mike Miller is keeping Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly’s condition and playing status close to the vest.

Kelly, 32, suffered a lower-body injury in Toronto’s 40-39 loss to the Ottawa Redblacks on Friday night. The contest was Kelly’s first after missing the Argos’ 24-17 setback to the B.C. Lions on Oct. 3 with a right-hand ailment.

Miller said Monday he hasn’t decided if or when Kelly might practise this week, or whether Kelly will play Friday night when Toronto (9-8) hosts the Montreal Alouettes (13-4) in the regular-season finale for both teams. Miller expects to receive an update on Kelly’s condition from the Argos’ medical staff sometime Monday night before proceeding.

Miller said Kelly is receiving treatment for the injury but wouldn’t divulge the nature of the ailment. Kelly reportedly had an MRI on Saturday.

“The update is we’re going to re-evaluate (Tuesday),” Miller said. “At this time, I don’t want to get out in front of the trainers and doctors, I’m going to let them continue to do what they need to do.

“I’ll reassess it and we’ll move forward through the week with it but as that evolves we’ll make sure we go by what the protocol is for the release of injuries. The trainer said he’s receiving treatment and that’s all I can really say at this time.”

The Argos are scheduled to begin on-field practices Tuesday.

Kelly came down hard on both knees while being tackled in the first quarter Friday night. He limped noticeably after getting up and stretched his right leg before receiving medical attention and being evaluated in the medical tent.

Veteran Nick Arbuckle replaced Kelly and completed 27-of-35 passes for 315 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. 

In 2024, Arbuckle replaced Kelly (leg) in the East Division final and led Toronto past Montreal 30-28. The following week, Arbuckle was named the MVP of Toronto’s 41-24 Grey Cup victory over Winnipeg.

The expectation is Kelly and other Toronto starters won’t play Friday given the club hosts the East semifinal Oct. 31. But Miller wouldn’t say definitively that Kelly won’t suit up against Montreal.

“I’m not going to say anything like that,” he said. “We reassess things every day and as we go forward through the week.

“I have an idea of what we’re probably going to do but until all of that stuff is confirmed … I’m going to play this one a little tight to the vest for the time being.”

Montreal has clinched first in the East and will host the division final Nov. 7. The Alouettes played without starting quarterback Davis Alexander and receivers Tyson Philpot and Tyler Snead in last week’s 16-12 loss to Saskatchewan. They are expected to be without a number of regulars Friday night.

Miller said regardless of who plays for Toronto, the expectation will remain the same.

“We attack it like we always do,” Miller said. “It’s a game we’re preparing to win.

“You never want to lose but all we can do is control what’s in front of us, learn from what we just went through and go from there. Then we’ll be back in that same boat next week refocusing on that situation (playoffs).”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 19, 2026.