The Chad Kelly waiting game continues for the Toronto Argonauts.

The star quarterback, who hasn’t played since fracturing his leg in last year’s East final, was absent from practice on Wednesday. There was hope before the week that Kelly could return for Saturday’s home game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, but the latest development appears to bring more uncertainty to his status going forward.

“It’s an excused absence,” said Argos head coach Ryan Dinwiddie, per Sportsnet’s David Morassutti. “We’re looking through some different things to see what’s the best choice for him as a player and for the organization. Right now, we don’t have a clear-cut answer where he’s at physically.”

Kelly has endured a frustrating stretch, missing the first six games of the 2025 season as well as last year’s Grey Cup win. Dinwiddie acknowledged the emotional toll it has taken on the Argos’ starting quarterback.

“It’s tough when you’re not playing, especially when you know you can help the team,” Dinwiddie said. “Emotionally, I know that’s tiring for him. We’re trying to be there for him, but we also have to do what’s right for his career and the future of the organization.”

The Argos (1-5) are waiting on medical clearance before making any decision about Kelly’s return. While Kelly feels close to being game-ready, the team is proceeding cautiously.

“He feels physically ready on the field, but he’s not completely back to where he needs to be,” Dinwiddie said. “We just have to make sure there’s no risk of further injury. The next few days will be a deciding factor.”

Nick Arbuckle has started every game for Toronto since Kelly was hurt.

When asked if Kelly could suit up against the Blue Bombers, Dinwiddie wouldn’t commit.

“We’ll see,” he said. “We can’t rush him out there. We need clearance from certain people medically, and once we get that, we’ll make a decision.”