Chad Kelly suffers gruesome leg injury in CFL playoffs that forces teammates to look away

All former NFL quarterback Chad Kelly could do was try to hold his leg together after suffering a gruesome injury during a CFL game.

The former Broncos and Colts signal caller was playing for the Toronto Argonauts against the Montreal Alouettes in a CFL semifinal playoff game on Saturday. 

Kelly was running for a first down on a 2nd and 10 play in the third quarter when Montreal’s Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund fell on Kelly’s leg in the process of making a tackle.

The QB could not put any weight on it as he got up and could be seen on the broadcast attempting to hold his leg below the knee as he flopped to the field.

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Toronto teammate Dejon Allen could be seen on the field looking distressed with his back turned to his QB after seeing how badly Kelly was hurt.

Kelly suffered a broken tibia and fibula in his right ankle, the team announced. 

“I want to extend my sincere thanks to the doctors and medical staff at Montreal General Hospital, as well as my family, teammates and team ownership, for standing by me throughout this experience,” Kelly said in a statement. “The incredible outpouring of support from our fans means the world to me, and I’m truly grateful for all the messages I’ve received. 

“I couldn’t be prouder of our team for securing an outstanding win, and I’m thrilled we’re headed to the Grey Cup. While I regret not being able to play, I have full confidence in the team and staff to bring the cup home where it belongs. Thank you again for the incredible support – I’ll see you all soon!”

Kelly, who was taken off on a stretcher, had gone 11-for-22 passing for 182 yards with a touchdown and an two interceptions. He was replaced by Nick Arbuckle, a 31-year-old CFL veteran who played his college ball at Georgia State.

Arbuckle completed Toronto’s 30-28 victory to catapult them into the Grey Cup against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. 

Kelly, the nephew of Bill legend Jim Kelly has had a rollercoaster career, that included a Grey Cup championship in 2022.

After winning the CFL’s most outstanding player last year, he began this season on a “last-chance agreement” after being suspended on May 7 for Toronto’s two exhibition games and at least the first nine regular-season contests for violating the CFL’s gender-based violence policy. 

It stemmed from an independent investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former Toronto strength-and-conditioning coach against Kelly for sexual harassment and the team for wrongful dismissal.

Kelly played collegiately at Ole Miss, Clemson and East Mississippi Community College, where he won a junior college championship.

He was “Mr. Irrelevant” via the Broncos in the 2017 NFL Draft and appeared in one game.

Kelly was released by season’s end after he was arrested on suspicion of first-degree criminal trespassing.

He pled guilty to misdemeanor second-degree criminal trespassing.