Jaguars sign QB Nathan Rourke from practice squad to active roster

The Jacksonville Jaguars signed quarterback Nathan Rourke from the practice squad to their active roster Wednesday.

A transaction to make Rourke potentially available for a Thursday night game against the New Orleans Saints was an expected move for the Jaguars. With Trevor Lawrence’s status up in the air, the team can’t afford to potentially enter the Week 7 game with just one quarterback active.

Even if Lawrence is able to play at less than 100 percent, having a third quarterback ready to go makes sense.

What’s a little unexpected about the decision is that the Jaguars didn’t have a standard practice squad elevation to make Rourke available. Now that the quarterback has been signed, the Jaguars would have to waive Rourke if it hopes to put him back on the practice squad.

Rourke, 25, was a Canadian Football League star before signing with the Jaguars in January. Despite starring in preseason with 348 passing yards, a passing touchdown, a rushing touchdown, and no interceptions, Jacksonville waived Rourke at the end of August and added him to the practice squad.

Thanks to an offseason rule change, the Jaguars could designate Rourke as a third, emergency quarterback Thursday, who wouldn’t count against the team’s active player limit, if Lawrence ends up playing.