The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed quarterback Nathan Rourke from the practice squad as starting signal-caller Trevor Lawrence continues to work his way back from a reported left knee sprain.
Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported more insight on the matter as the Jags get ready for a Thursday Night Football road game versus the New Orleans Saints.
Lawrence was limited at practice on Tuesday and told reporters he was feeling better.
“I’m going to do everything I can to be out there,” Lawrence said. “I feel a lot better today than I would’ve thought. I like how I’m progressing and I’m going to do everything I can to be out there on Thursday.”
The Jags haven’t official
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72881701/1689508383.0.jpg)
ly confirmed the nature of the injury, but a league source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter it’s a “sprain” that “is not a significant thing.”
Lawrence suffered the ailment on a sack near the end of his team’s 37-20 win over the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday. Veteran backup C.J. Beathard came in on the last drive to end the game on kneeldowns.
Beathard figures to start if Lawrence can’t go. Over six seasons (2017-2018, 2020-2023) with the San Francisco 49ers and Jags, the ex-Iowa star has completed 59.0 percent of his passes for 18 touchdowns (14 interceptions) at 6.9 yards per attempt.
Rourke should be C.J. Beathard’s backup. He was one of the NFL’s preseason stars thanks largely to this remarkable play where he evaded four Dallas Cowboys rushers to toss a 21-yard touchdown pass as he was being brought down:
Rourke completed 23-of-35 passes for 348 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions in three preseason games.
The 25-year-old previously starred in the CFL for the BC Lions in 2021 and 2022. He completed 307-of-406 passes for 28 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Rourke also threw for 4,103 yards and ran for 415 yards on 57 attempts alongside 12 rushing touchdowns.
Jacksonville is looking for its fourth straight win when it takes on a 3-3 Saints team on Thursday in New Orleans. Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. ET.
Leave a Reply