The B.C. Lions are hoping that a virtually unchanged roster will receive a spark from a swap at the quarterback position.
The Lions have made no other significant changes to their roster from last week outside of the most important position. Canadian defensive back Patrice Rene is the lone returnee to the lineup but will serve in a depth role. He has recorded 33 defensive tackles, 13 special teams tackles, and a sack in 16 games. Fullback Dylan St. Pierre has been placed on the practice roster as a result.
Vernon Adams Jr. will get the nod this week over Canadian Nathan Rourke, marking his first start since Aug. 1 when he suffered a knee injury against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The 31-year-old went 5-3 as a starter to begin the year and has thrown for 2,544 yards, 14 touchdowns, and seven interceptions on the season. At the time of his injury, he was the consensus front-runner to be named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player.
Rourke had started B.C.’s last eight games since returning from the NFL, passing for 1,581 yards, four touchdowns, and seven interceptions. The Lions have gone 3-5 with the Canadian quarterback at the helm, a far cry from the 8-1 record he posted in meaningful regular season games back in 2022.
The Lions (8-9) will host the Alouettes (12-3-1) on Saturday, Oct. 19 with kickoff slated for 7:00 p.m. EDT.
Graphic Courtesy: B.C. Lions
