TORONTO — Ricky Ray’s receiving corps has taken another huge hit. The Toronto Argonauts learned Tuesday star receiver/kick-returner Chad Owens will miss at least three weeks with a foot injury suffered in Saturday’s 34-15 home loss to the Calgary Stampeders. And that’s a best-case scenario as head coach Scott Milanovich said Owens could be gone “possibly significantly longer.”
Fortunately, it appears Owens, 32, who sported a walking boot at practice for the second straight day, won’t require surgery. But his injury comes at a bad time for the Argos, who are also minus veteran receivers Andre Durie (clavicle) and Jason Barnes (knee). Barnes underwent further examination Tuesday but Milanovich wasn’t expecting him to play Friday night when Toronto (1-2) visits Ottawa (0-2) in the expansion Redblacks’ home opener. Toronto’s receiving corps will sport two rookies — 2014 first-round pick Anthony Coombs (for Durie) and Terrell Sinkfield (for Owens) — and sophomores John Chiles and Darvin Adams (replacing Barnes). That makes Canadian Spencer Watt, a five-year veteran with 111 career catches (Owens had 94 last year alone) the unit’s elder statesman.
“It’s football,” Milanovich said matter-of-factly. “Minimally, you need to weather the storm.
“In a perfect world this is where (other) guys step up and make a name for themselves and become stars. That’s what the guys have to expect from their performance. Guess what? Sinkfield is taller and faster than Chad. I’m going to miss Chad but Sinkfield does other things. Go out and show Chad how it’s done.”