TICATS HOPEFUL OF BO LEVI RETURN

HAMILTON – The Hamilton Tiger-Cats still remain hopeful about quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell’s return.

Mitchell, 33, suffered a lower-leg fracture in Hamilton’s 16-12 home win over Ottawa on July 28. He had surgery and went on the six-game injured list with the expectation he could return to the team later in the season.

On Thursday, while the Ticats practised at Tim Hortons Field, Mitchell threw in the opposite end zone and did resistance training without a limp or any noticeable effects.

Orlondo Steinauer, Hamilton’s head coach/president of football operations, said there remains no timetable regarding when Mitchell might return. But Steinauer remains optimistic the two-time CFL MVP will suit up before season’s end.

“I’m not going to bet against somebody who’s a proven quarterback in the league and who’s working his tail off to get back,” Steinauer said. “I’m optimistic he’ll be on the field at some point.”

Rookie Taylor Powell will make an eighth start when Hamilton (6-7) visits the Toronto Argonauts (11-1) on Saturday night. The Ticats return to Tim Hortons Field next week to host the Calgary Stampeders, the team Mitchell played for (2012-22) before it dealt his rights to the East Division squad last November.

Mitchell signed a three-year deal with Hamilton after his rights were traded.

“We’re not going to push it,” Steinauer said of Mitchell’s rehab. “We know Bo is working hard and sometimes you want to rush it but you have good and bad days in rehab, meaning not when you do it but how it responds.

“No timetable, just want him to be 99.9 per cent healthy, both between the ears and physically, then we’ll make a choice.”

Mitchell’s first season in Hamilton has been a difficult one. Injuries have limited him to just three games with the Ticats, completing 56-of-97 passes (57.7 per cent) for 714 yards with three touchdowns and nine interceptions.

(Canadian Press)