B.C. Lions’ quarterback Nathan Rourke was back throwing at practice on Tuesday, the team revealed in a video that was posted on Twitter. He was officially listed as a limited participant on the team’s injury report.
👀 Guess who’s back doin’ his thing? pic.twitter.com/HL97pIXJpf
— BC LIONS (@BCLions) October 11, 2022
Rourke suffered a Linsfranc sprain in his right foot during a 28-10 victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Aug. 19. The Lions announced on Aug. 21 that Rourke would undergo surgery to repair the injury following consultations with team doctors and foot specialists. He underwent the procedure in the following days once the swelling diminished.
Lisfranc surgery typically requires patients to be non-weight bearing for six-to-eight weeks following the procedure. Recovery time can range anywhere from three-to-six months.
Rourke expressed optimism that he would return from the injury ahead of schedule, indicating that he’d done so after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum while playing at Ohio University in 2018.
The 24-year-old led the CFL in virtually every passing category when he suffered the injury, completing 79.2 percent of his passes for 3,281 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions over nine games. He also ran the ball 39 times for 304 yards and seven touchdowns, leading the Lions to an 8-1 record.
B.C. has gone 2-4 since Rourke was placed on the six-game injured list with Michael O’Connor, Antonio Pipkin, and Vernon Adams Jr. taking turns in the starting role. Adams was acquired via trade from the Montreal Alouettes on Aug. 31 in exchange for a first-round pick in the 2023 CFL Draft.
The Lions (10-5) are scheduled to host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (14-2) on Saturday with kickoff slated for 10:00 p.m. EDT. The team is currently tied with the Calgary Stampeders (10-5) for second in the West Division standings, though they hold the tiebreaker by virtue of winning the season series.
