Ray to be sidelined for awhile

The Toronto Argonauts say starter Ricky Ray “will miss significant time this season,” as a result of the neck injury he suffered Saturday night.

The Argos said in a statement issued Monday night that Ray, the club’s alltime leading passer, was released from a Toronto hospital earlier in the day and is now recovering comfortably at home with his family. Ray was injured in the third quarter of Toronto’s 41-7 home loss to the Calgary Stampeders.

The Argos also said Ray will undergo more tests to further evaluate the injury and there’s no timeline for his return.

Ray left the field Saturday night on a stretcher with his head immobilized after being sandwiched between Calgary defensive linemen Ja’Gared Davis and Cordarro Law. Play was halted for over 20 minutes as medical personnel treated Ray.

Ray, 38, has been a model of resiliency during his Argos tenure, successfully overcoming knee injuries, a partially deflated lung and shoulder surgery to return to the lineup. But watching a respected future Hall of Fame player leaving the field strapped down on a stretcher was certainly concerning to fans as well as players.

On Sunday, the Argos said Ray was resting comfortably in hospital and had feeling in his extremities while showing no concussion symptoms. Earlier on Monday, GM Jim Popp said it would be a few more days before club officials know the full extent of Ray’s condition.