Argonauts set to face McLeod Bethel-Thompson, Elks

Field Level Media|published: Fri 21st June, 16:27 2024

Jun 9, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Argonauts head coach Ryan Dinwiddie looks on during a game against the BC Lions at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports

The Toronto Argonauts will be facing several former team members Saturday night when they host the Edmonton Elks.

The most notable are quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson, who spent five seasons with Toronto, as well as kicker Boris Bede, returner/running back Javon Leake and receiver Kurleigh Gittens Jr. Other former Argonauts now with Edmonton include defensive lineman Sam Acheampong, defensive back Josh Hagerty and offensive lineman Shane Richards.

Bethel-Thompson has completed 72.6 percent of his passes for 636 yards and two touchdowns through two games this year. He also has thrown three interceptions and lost one fumble.

The Elks (0-2) are coming off a 23-20 home loss to the Grey Cup champion Montreal Alouettes on June 14.

"We know we should have won that football game, but credit to Montreal, they pulled it out and made it happen," Bethel-Thompson said.

"People will call me crazy, but we can play with every single football team or beat every team in this league, it is just a matter of playing our A game," Edmonton coach Chris Jones said. "We certainly have not done that."

The Argonauts (1-0) won their season opener 35-27 at home over the BC Lions on June 9.

Quarterback Cameron Dukes completed 21 of 27 passes for 254 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for 37 yards and one touchdown. Dukes is playing in place of the suspended Chad Kelly for Toronto, which was idle last week.

Coach Ryan Dinwiddie confirmed that the Argonauts will be without two key players -- receiver DaVaris Daniels (groin) and defensive lineman Folarin Orimolade (ankle) -- on Saturday.

"We've got some fresh bodies coming back, but unfortunately, a few guys aren't going to be able to play this week who didn't get the bye week that we thought," Dinwiddie said on Thursday. "They're going to be out this week. We'll see how (Orimolade) is going to be, but I think (Daniels) will be back next week. He was looking pretty good out there yesterday running around, but it's early, so I don't want this to be a long-term thing."

Orimolade registered a sack and three tackles against BC.

Daniels had two receptions for 27 yards in the season opener. He was Toronto's leading receiver in 2023, with 52 catches for 1,009 yards and eight touchdowns.

Dukes returned to practice Thursday after being limited by illness on Wednesday.

--Field Level Media

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