Argonauts running back Janarion Grant is chasing the CFL record against his former team

TORONTO — Janarion Grant is already giving the Toronto Argonauts huge returns just six games into his tenure.

The speedster has scored special teams TDs in three straight games — two on punt returns and one off a kickoff. Another trip to the end zone Saturday against his former team, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, would put Grant in the CFL record books.

That’s heady stuff considering the 5-foot-10, 173-pound Grant was unemployed until Toronto (3-3) came calling on May 28. -5).

“I’m always happy and excited,” Grant said. “(Scoring return TDs) is always in the back of my mind, just take it one game at a time, one game at a time.”

Grant leads the CFL in punt returns (29), yards (474), average (16.3 yards) and touchdowns (two). He is also second in kickoff returns (29.5-yard average) with a TD and is first in combined yards (1,074).

No one is more aware of Grant’s abilities than Winnipeg head coach Mike O’Shea. Grant’s first four CFL seasons were spent with the Blue Bombers as he helped the franchise make four straight Gray Cup appearances, including two wins.

With Winnipeg, Grant had 174 returns for 2,256 yards (13-yard average) and seven TDs. He also had 87 kickoff returns for 2,091 yards (24-yard average) and one touchdown.

“Obviously it’s difficult to stop him,” O’Shea said. “Everyone who has been with us for a while recognizes that.

“They see what he’s done for us and they’re continuing that. If he keeps going the way he is, he’s going to be up there on those top lists in CFL history. It’s outstanding.”

Grant certainly filled a need for Toronto as Javon Leake, the CFL’s best special teams player last season, signed with Edmonton as a free agent.

“I didn’t really feel confident in the guys that we had that we brought into camp to win that job,” Argos head coach Ryan Dinwiddie said. “I just went to (Toronto general manager Mike Clemons) and said, ‘Let’s go get Janarion Grant, he’s on the streets and I don’t know why … but he’s a dynamic player who still has a lot left.

“We were lucky to have him available at that stage.”

Grant said he spoke with Winnipeg in the offseason, but the two sides just couldn’t come to an agreement.

“It’s a business, that’s what happens,” he said. “You just have to take it and roll with it.”

Toronto had another former Bomber on its roster in veteran wide receiver Rasheed Bailey. But Bailey was released Friday, a decision Dinwiddie said came down to numbers.

“We’re going to go with five (Canadians) on offense and two on defense and we just didn’t have a spot for him,” Dinwiddie said. “It’s unfortunate that this business doesn’t love you sometimes.

“Rasheed was a great teammate, he did everything we asked of him. It was a tough conversation, but that’s what we’re all signing up for.”

The decision regarding Bailey comes with Canadian wide receivers David Ungerer III and Kevin Mital coming off the injured list. Ungerer will start at wide receiver on Saturday, while Mital will back up fellow Canuck Richie Sindani in the slot.

American Tavarus McFadden starts at cornerback with Canadian Jonathan Edouard out. All-American defensive lineman Woody Baron also makes the roster to back up tackle Ralph Holley.

Tony Jones starts at linebacker for Winnipeg in place of the injured Kyrie Wilson. Also there are linebacker Brian Cole and fullback Bailey Feltmate.

Cameron Dukes will start again at quarterback for Toronto despite being replaced by veteran Nick Arbuckle during last week’s 27-24 loss to Hamilton. Arbuckle got the offense going once he entered the game, completing 8 of 14 passes for 118 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

“I expect to play both,” Dinwiddie said. “If I see (the Dukes) rolling and playing well, I’m not going to put Nick on the court and jeopardize the flow of the game.

“I thought Nick did some good things last week and had a really good week of practice. He knows the system, he’s more comfortable, he’s played more games of football, but Cam gets in there and gives us a different skill set .”

Winnipeg has won six of the last eight meetings with Toronto, but both teams rely heavily on the run.

Toronto is first overall in rushing (129.2 yards per game), while Winnipeg is third (101 yards). Argos quarterback Ka’Deem Carey rushed for a league-high 429 yards, just 14 ahead of Winnipeg’s Brady Oliveira, the CFL’s leading rusher last season and its Canadian standout.

Oliveira had a career-high 169 rushing yards against Toronto last season.

“Brady is coming back to life,” O’Shea said. “The last two weeks he’s been the physical Brady the team needs.”

Running is a big part of both offenses. Toronto is last overall in passing yards (236 yards per game), while Winnipeg is eighth (243.3).

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on July 26, 2024.

Dan Ralph, Canadian Press