Former BC Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke waived by NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars

Canadian quarterback and former BC Lions star Nathan Rourke was waived by the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday.

Rourke signed a three-year deal with the Jaguars in late January, and seemingly impressed in recent preseason play — highlighted by a touchdown pass against the Dallas Cowboys earlier in August.

Now that he’s been waived by the Jaguars, other NFL teams have the opportunity to make a claim and bring him on board. If he clears waivers and becomes a free agent, he’d be able to sign a practice-squad agreement with his former squad or another NFL team.

Rourke — the CFL’s top Canadian last season — broke into professional football with the CFL’s B.C. Lions after being bypassed in the 2022 NFL draft. He took the CFL by storm and became a household name in B.C. after taking the reins, throwing for over 300 yards six times — including three 400-yard performances — in the process of helping B.C. to an 8-1 record.

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His season was cut short after missing eight games due to a Lisfranc sprain in his right foot that required surgery but returned for B.C.’s regular-season finale as the Lions finished second in the West with a 12-6 record.

Rourke led B.C. past Calgary 30-16 in the West Division semifinal, completing 22-of-30 passes for 321 yards and two touchdowns.

B.C.’s season ended with a 28-20 loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the West final. Rourke finished 20-of-37 passes for 300 yards with a TD and two interceptions while rushing twice for 20 yards.