Photo courtesy: Logan Taylor/B.C. Lions

Quarterback Nathan Rourke did not return after suffering an injury in the first quarter of the B.C. Lions’ Week 7 loss to the Edmonton Elks.

Rourke was injured on the second play from scrimmage, as Elks’ defensive end Noah Taylor looped inside and came through unblocked for a sack. The 28-year-old walked to the sideline under his own power, but was subsequently treated in the locker room for a left shoulder injury. The Oakville, Ont., native later returned to the sideline wearing a T-shirt with his left arm hidden underneath, potentially in a sling

Fourth-year backup Chase Brice took over following the injury. He was intercepted on his first pass of the night, after taking a shot from Taylor. The Appalachian State product finished 20-of-34 passing for 226 yards, one touchdown, and four interceptions.

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The Lions ultimately fell 19-17, dropping to 1-4 on the season.

Lions’ head coach Buck Pierce declined to provide an update regarding Rourke’s injury after the game. He gave credit to Brice for stepping into a difficult situation.

“I think there’s always things you look at and want to improve on, but for the most part, I thought towards the second half there at the end, he got into a little bit of a rhythm and made some big plays for us to help move the sticks,” Pierce said. “Just like anything, it’s never an easy situation to come into, but that’s part of the job as a quarterback at this level. You’re expected to go execute the offence.”

Through four games this season, Rourke has completed 107-of-150 passes (71.3 percent) for 1,403 yards, five touchdowns, and four interceptions. He’s added seven carries for 71 yards and one major.

The Canadian pivot threw for 5,290 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions over 16 regular-season starts in 2025, his first full year in the CFL since 2022. The dual-threat passer also rushed 61 times for 564 yards and 10 scores, finishing the season as the league’s eighth-leading rusher.

Rourke went 11-5 as a starter, leading the Lions to a second-place finish in the West Division, and was named All-CFL. He took home the league’s Most Outstanding Canadian Award for the second time in his career, while becoming the first Canadian quarterback since 1969 to win Most Outstanding Player.

The Lions are slated to return to action on Saturday, July 25, when they host the Toronto Argonauts. It will mark their first home game at BC Place since their eviction for the FIFA World Cup.

J.C. Abbott is a University of British Columbia graduate and high school football coach. He covers the CFL, B.C. Lions, CFL Draft and the three-down league’s Global initiative.