Ismail Sits Out Exhibition Opener

TORONTO — 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.