Kilgore next quarterback up for Argos after Ray’s injury

TORONTO — It’s a drill Scott Milanovich has become very proficient at during his four-plus seasons as Toronto Argonauts head coach.

Logan Kilgore will start at quarterback Sunday when Toronto visits the Ottawa Redblacks. Kilgore replaces incumbent Ricky Ray, who’s out three to six weeks after suffering a knee injury in Monday night’s 30-17 home win over the Montreal Alouettes.

There’s no questioning the strength of Ray’s CFL resume, which features three Grey Cup wins — including leading Toronto to victory in 2012, his first season with the club. He also stands fourth all-time with 53,721 passing yards and is the most accurate passer in league history (67.8 completion percentage).

But Ray has battled injuries since being acquired from Edmonton in December 2011. Entering the 2016 campaign, Ray had missed 27 games with Toronto due to injury, including 15 last year recovering from off-season shoulder surgery.

Fortunately for the Argos, they’ve always had a solid stable of quality backup quarterbacks such as Zach Collaros (now with Hamilton), Jarious Jackson (Saskatchewan quarterbacks coach), Trevor Harris (Ottawa) and Mitchell Gale (Saskatchewan), and now Kilgore is ready to step in. Despite Ray’s injuries, Milanovich boasts a 41-36 coaching record with Toronto.

“I’m frustrated for Ricky, he’s worked too hard,” Milanovich said. “I’m not upset, I’m not surprised, it (injuries to starters) is the way this league has been for a number of years now.

“That’s why Logan is here. The guys have faith in him, I have faith in him. We’ll try to put together a plan built around his talents and let him go to work and play well.”

Ray was injured when Montreal defensive lineman Vaughn Martin rolled up into his legs well after Ray had thrown the ball. Milanovich said the Argos have discussed the matter with the CFL and it’s now in the league’s hands.