Nathan Rourke will make his fifth straight start for the B.C. Lions when they host the Toronto Argonauts on Friday night, though it’s unclear how much longer he’ll be in the starting lineup.
Head coach and co-general manager Rick Campbell indicated that he and his staff will reassess the quarterback position after this week as Vernon Adams Jr. continues to work back from a knee injury he suffered against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Aug. 1.
“We have a discussion every week because Vernon’s such an excellent player but we’re gonna go to the bye week status quo, so we’ll keep rolling with Nathan but Vernon’s on the ready and ready to go,” Campbell told the media. “(Adams has) had a great attitude and done everything that he’s been asked. We’ll reevaluate after the bye week.”
Rourke has completed 64 percent of his passes for 989 yards, four touchdowns, and seven interceptions since returning from the NFL, going 2-2 as a starter. He has also rushed for 146 yards and two touchdowns.
The Lions signed the Canadian quarterback in mid-August following a two-year excursion to the NFL. Campbell released a statement at the time of the signing indicating that Adams Jr. will not be traded this season, calling him “a huge part of our team.”
Adams Jr. has completed 64.5 percent of his passes for 2,469 yards, 14 touchdowns, and six interceptions this season, going 5-3 as a starter. He has also carried the ball 34 times for 167 yards and two touchdowns.
The B.C. Lions (7-6) will host the Toronto Argonauts (6-6) on Friday, Sept. 13 with kickoff slated for 10:00 p.m. EDT. The team has a bye week after the game and will return to host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (3-9) on Friday, Sept. 27.
