Jaguars sign QB Nathan Rourke back to practice squad

An expected move was made official Tuesday when the Jacksonville Jaguars signed quarterback Nathan Rourke to their practice squad.

Rourke, 25, spent the first six weeks of the season on the Jaguars’ practice squad, but was signed to the active roster last week ahead of a game against the New Orleans Saints. While teams are allowed to temporarily elevate players, the Jaguars opted against that route and made Rourke a member of the 53-man roster for one game due to a knee injury suffered by Trevor Lawrence.

While Lawrence played, the addition of Rourke on the active roster meant the Jaguars could list the latter as an emergency third quarterback Thursday night against the Saints.

The downside of the move was that Jacksonville had to waive Rourke over the weekend and hope he made it through waivers so he could be added back to the practice squad. That came to fruition Tuesday and Rourke is now officially back with the team.

Rourke is a former Canadian Football League star who signed with the Jaguars earlier this year. He was a preseason star who recorded a passing touchdown and a rushing touchdown, but still landed third on the team’s depth chart.