ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
TORONTO – 2013 has been a year of bumps and bruises for the Double Blue.
From Ricky Ray’s shoulder, to Chad Owens’ ribs, to Chad Kackert’s knee, the Boatmen have had to deal with more adversity from a health stand point then anyone could have ever imagined.
In fact, almost every “skill” position player on the Argonauts starting offence has missed a game due to injury this season. The only players to not be hit with the injury bug are FB Alexander Robinson, who has scored two touchdowns in his first season as an offensive player, and SB Andre Durie, who has already set career highs in receiving yardage (887) and receptions (83) through 16 games.
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WR John Chiles, who already missed the first few weeks of the season, is now back on the injury report with a hamstring issue; the same injury that plagued WR Dontrelle Inman for a few weeks in July.
Continuing with the receivers infirmary list, Spencer Watt, Mike Bradwell, Julian Feoli-Gudino and Jason Barnes have all missed time with nicks and bumps, while SB Romby Bryant suffered six cracked ribs in the preseason and spent the first half of the year on the 9-game injured list.
Chad Kackert’s stint on the 9-game injured list wrapped up just a few weeks back, but his name has popped back up on the injury report; he missed last week’s game against Hamilton and is questionable this week to play Winnipeg.
In total, the Argos have had six different players appear on the 9-game injured list including K/P Swayze Waters, QB Josh Portis, DB Shane Herbert, DB Antareis Bryan along with the aforementioned Kackert and Bryant.
Chris Jones’ defence has also had its share of injuries from DL Cleyon Laing’s ankle to now missing S Matt Black with a knee injury.
Simply put, the “Next Man Up” mantra suits the Boatmen perfectly.
The tide looks to be turning in the Argos favour heading into the most crucial timeframe of the season. Ray finally returned in Week 16 against the Ticats and picked up right where he left off. Ray’s numbers on the day were 26 for 34 for 303 yards, 2 touchdowns and his first interception of 2013. One week prior, Owens returned to the active lineup after sitting out the entire four game roadtrip with sore ribs; he has posted a line of 13 receptions for 120 yards in his two games back.
With three games remaining (two against Winnipeg, one against Montreal) and Hamilton hot on the Argos heels for first in the East Division, the Boatmen need to get healthy in a hurry in order to establish themselves as the top dogs in the East and earn that much needed, and much deserved, first round bye in the 101st Grey Cup Playoffs.
The next Argos home game will be our “Pink” game as we tackle women’s cancers on October 24th against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Get a special Argonauts.ca offer on tickets. Click HERE and use promo code “ARGOSPINK” to get 30% off seats with a portion of the ticket sale donated to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.