Hamilton quarterback Matthew Shiltz will start for the injured Dane Evans on Friday night when the Tiger-Cats host the Toronto Argonauts.
Shiltz, 29, is in his first season with Hamilton after four years with the Montreal Alouettes. Evans (shoulder) is on the one-game injured list.
The Argonauts (4-3) overcame a 13-point deficit with 18 points in the fourth quarter to post a 34-20 win over the Tiger-Cats (2-6) last Saturday in Toronto. Toronto’s McLeod Bethel-Thompson completed 17 of 27 passes for 230 yards and a touchdown.
Shiltz has relieved Evans for stretches this season, with head coach Orlondo Steinauer experimenting with a two-quarterback system. He has completed 16 of 24 passes for 125 yards with no touchdowns and has rushed 22 times for 110 yards and one score.
“In my head, I’m playing, like every week,” Shiltz said. “It definitely helps getting the reps the past few weeks, whether it’s when both Dane and I are on the field or when I’m playing quarterback. It definitely helps getting into the flow of the game.”
Shiltz has faced the Argonauts before. Last season, he led Montreal to a 37-16 victory over Toronto on Oct. 22 by throwing for 212 yards and two touchdowns on 12-of-18 passing.
Defensive back Maurice Carnell IV has returned to the Argonauts after being injured during training camp.
“He was having a good camp and doing well at the boundary halfback,” Argos coach Ryan Dinwiddie said. “He got hurt at the end and it was unfortunate we couldn’t keep him around.”
Defensive back Shaquille Richardson (groin) was injured against the Tiger-Cats last weekend.
“He’ll be out for a while,” Dinwiddie said. “It was more severe than we originally thought. He might be gone four to six (weeks).”
Richardson’s spot was filled by Robert Priester, but Dinwiddie feels Carnell is ready to for the responsibility.
“We feel good with either guy,” Dinwiddie said.
Hamilton receivers Bralon Addison (Achilles), Tyler Ternowski (shoulder) and Papi White (back/knee) and offensive lineman Chris Van Zeyl (hip) are listed as out for Friday.
–Field Level Media