August 24, 2019

Chamblin: Both Franklin and MBT will see snaps against Als

The Canadian Press

TORONTO — Heading into their Touchdown Atlantic clash with the Montreal Alouettes on Sunday, the Toronto Argonauts continue to tinker with their lineup.

Running back James Wilder Jr. and quarterback James Franklin will both return to the Argos’ lineup, however, they’ll both serve as backups at their respective positions.

Franklin, who is listed as the backup, will not be entirely relegated to sideline duties however. Head coach Corey Chamblin said Saturday that although McLeod Bethel-Thompson will get the start, Franklin too will see action.

“I think you’ll see both of them,” Chamblin said of his two pivots.

Franklin is coming off a stint on the six-game injured list. He suffered a lower-body injury in Week 3 against Saskatchewan. In two starts this season, he’s thrown for 435 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions.

Bethel-Thompson will be the man under centre again for Toronto. In eight starts this season, he’s completed 66 per cent of his passes for 1,792 yards and 12 touchdowns.


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Wilder last played in Week 6. He did practise last week but was a late scratch before the Argos’ Week 10 clash with the Edmonton Eskimos.

The 27-year-old has 161 rushing yards on 38 carries to go along with 260 yards and two receiving scores.

Brandon Burks will be the starter out of the backfield for the Double Blue. He and Chris Rainey split rushes in Wilder’s absence. Burks has 167 yards on the ground and 77 yards and a touchdown through the air.

The Argos will travel to Moncton to play the Als in Touchdown Atlantic. Opening kick-off is set for 12:00 p.m. ET.