Ismail Sits Out Exhibition Opener

An injured leg muscle stalled Raghib (Rocket) Ismail’s planned debut in the Canadian Football League Wednesday night.

Ismail, the first pick in last May’s NFL draft before being lured north with a four-year contract that could pay him $26 million, wore a baseball cap, not a Toronto Argonaut helmet, as he watched his team’s 29-15 loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the exhibition opener before 31,196 in the 53,595-seat SkyDome.

The former Notre Dame star pulled a left quadriceps muscle shortly after the Argonauts opened camp two weeks ago.

While it’s not considered a serious injury, it was decided it was better that he stay away from contact until his leg has healed or until the Argonauts’ season opener July 11 at Ottawa.