The Jacksonville Jaguars have waived Canadian quarterback Nathan Rourke, the team announced Saturday.
Jacksonville elevated Rourke to the team’s 53-man roster for Thursday’s win over the New Orleans Saints. The move was primarily made because regular starter Trevor Lawrence was dealing with an injured left knee and his status for the game was in doubt.
If Rourke clears waivers, he could rejoin the Jaguars’ practice squad.
The six-foot-one, 210-pound Rourke signed with Jacksonville as a free agent Jan. 6 after two seasons with the CFL’s B.C. Lions. He completed 23-of-35 passes for 348 yards and a TD during the Jaguars’ pre-season schedule.
Afterward, Rourke was placed on waivers and later joined the Jaguars’ practice roster.
Rourke was the CFL’s top Canadian in 2022, completing 255-of-324 passes (78.7 per cent) for 3,349 yards with 25 TDs and 10 interceptions in 10 regular-season starts. The former Ohio star also ran 39 times for 304 yards (7.8-yard average) and seven touchdowns,
At Ohio in 2017-19, Rourke threw for 7,457 yards and 60 touchdowns while leading the Bobcats to three consecutive bowl victories. Twice he received the Jon Cornish Trophy (2017-18) as the top Canadian football player in the NCAA ranks.
The Lions selected Rourke in the second round, No. 15 overall, of the 2020 CFL draft. He began his pro career in Canada the following year as the league didn’t hold a 2020 season because of the global pandemic.
— With files from the Canadian Press
