Rourke Injury Update
B.C. Lions Await Rourke Injury Update After Loss; Backup Brice Steps Up
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B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke left Friday's 19-17 road loss to the Edmonton Elks with a left shoulder injury, and no update on his condition has been provided, according to The Province. The injury happened on just the second play of the game. Rourke returned to the sidelines wearing a sling on his non-throwing shoulder.
Backup Chase Brice stepped in and went 20-for-34 for 226 yards and one touchdown. He also threw four interceptions. The Lions fell by two points in a game they could not afford to lose, Edmonton Sun reported.
Rourke's Injury Clouds B.C. Lions' Season Outlook
Rourke went down early and never returned to the field. The Lions have not said how serious the injury is. GM Ryan Rigmaiden has stayed silent on the matter, offering no timeline or diagnosis, The Whig reported. The left shoulder is Rourke's non-throwing side, which could be a positive sign — but nothing is confirmed.
Third-string quarterback Kaidon Salter is in his fourth season with the Lions. If Rourke misses significant time, Salter would be the next man up behind Brice. That is a thin safety net for a team with playoff ambitions.
Chase Brice Showed Fight but Threw Four Interceptions
Brice was solid in some areas. He completed 20 of 34 passes for 226 yards and found the end zone once, according to Sault Star. But four interceptions in a two-point loss is hard to overlook. Those turnovers likely cost the Lions the game.
Still, Brice was always the plan if Rourke went down. He was the clear second choice heading into the season, Owen Sound Sun Times noted. He has experience and kept the offence moving. The Lions will need him sharper if Rourke sits out.
Lions Pursued Free Agent QBs Before Settling on Brice
This off-season, GM Ryan Rigmaiden made offers to free agent quarterbacks Tre Ford and Dustin Crum, according to Mitchell Advocate. Both were meant to strengthen the quarterback room. Neither signed with B.C. The Lions went into the season with Brice as their clear backup plan.
That decision now looks even more important. With Rourke's status unknown, Brice is the starter until told otherwise. The Lions' next game will show just how ready the backup room really is.
Lions Drop to 19-17 Loss in Tight Edmonton Battle
The final score was 19-17 in favour of the Edmonton Elks. B.C. had chances to win but the four interceptions from Brice made it too difficult to overcome, Fort McMurray Today reported. Losing a close road game without your starting quarterback is a tough way to start a stretch of the season.
The Lions now face questions at their most important position. Until Rigmaiden speaks publicly about Rourke's injury, the team and its fans are left waiting. Every day without an update adds more uncertainty heading into their next game.
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