Ray returns to Argos with Willy nursing shoulder injury
TORONTO — Finally a little good fortune for Scott Milanovich and the struggling Toronto Argonauts.
Quarterback Ricky Ray practised with the starting offence Monday as Toronto prepares to face the Calgary Stampeders Friday. Ray comes off the six-game injured list this week just in time, as Drew Willy is ailing with an injury to his throwing shoulder that flared up in Toronto’s 29-11 loss to Saskatchewan Saturday.
Milanovich said Willy had an injury to his throwing shoulder before Toronto’s 48-20 home loss to Calgary on Oct. 10, but “it didn’t affect his ability to play.”
“Unknown to me he re-injured it a little bit ... so he’s going to be down this week.
“I think he’ll be on the one-game (injured list).”
That means a return under centre for Ray. The 36-year-old American hasn’t played since suffering a deflated lung and fractured rib in Toronto’s 49-36 Labour Day loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
“I feel like physically I don’t have anything hindering me,” Ray said. “Within a couple of weeks (the lung) was pretty much back to full capacity whereas the rib just takes a little bit longer but it feels pretty good.
“I was able to get back to practice last week ... and get the feel back. Being out there again this week and being able to throw with the guys I feel like, yeah, I can play.”
Toronto (5-11) has lost five straight and nine of its last 10 games to barely remain in playoff contention. The Argos trail second-place Hamilton (6-9) in the East Division and after facing high-flying Calgary (14-1-1) will finish their regular season visiting Edmonton (8-7) on Nov. 5.
Ray opened the 2016 season as Toronto’s starter after missing much of last year recovering from off-season shoulder surgery. He led Toronto to a 3-2 record before suffering a knee injury July 25.
Youngster Logan Kilgore guided Toronto to a 23-20 road win over Ottawa but the club has won just once since then.
Dan LeFevour led Toronto past Hamilton before giving way to Willy, who was acquired from Winnipeg on Sept. 17 for defensive back T.J. Heath, a 2017 firstround pick and 2018 third-round selection. Willy was 0-3 as the starter.
Toronto must finish ahead of Hamilton to make the East Division playoffs after losing the season series to the Ticats. And the West Division has already clinched the crossover, meaning the fourth-place team will assume the No. 3 post-season seed in the Eastern Conference.