Canadian QB Nathan Rourke takes all first-team reps for B.C. Lions, Michael Reilly a spectator

Photo courtesy: B.C. Lions

The B.C. Lions gave all their first-team reps in practice on Monday to rookie Canadian quarterback Nathan Rourke.

TSN’s Farhan Lalji tweeted the following this afternoon.

@nathan_rourke took all 1st team reps at @BCLions practice today. Campbell said after practice the team was preparing for Rourke to start & Reilly would be a game time decision. Reilly was dressed but didn’t take part, said he felt better today than expected.

Rourke was a surprise starter for B.C. against the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Friday when Reilly was held out at the last minute due to a lingering elbow injury.

The Canadian quarterback played the entire first half, completing six-of-eleven pass attempts for 119 yards with one touchdown and a pick-six. He returned to the game in the fourth quarter and completed four-of-six passes for 75 yards, including an 18-yard touchdown to all-star receiver Bryan Burnham.

Reilly posted respectable numbers against the Riders — he threw for 203 yards and a touchdown — but was noticeably bothered by his elbow throughout the game. He was unable to throw the ball with much zip and lacked his usual level of accuracy.

The Lions were down 31-0 by the second quarter of last week’s game in Regina but clawed their way back to lose 33-29. B.C. will travel to McMahon Stadium in Week 2 where they will take on Bo Levi Mitchell and the Calgary Stampeders who were upset by a score of 23-20 in Week 1 by the Toronto Argonauts.