Jaguars waive QB Nathan Rourke days after active roster promotion

The Jacksonville Jaguars waived third-string quarterback Nathan Rourke, the team announced Saturday.

Rourke, 25, joined the Jaguars in January and spent the first six weeks of the 2023 season on the team’s practice squad. With starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence questionable for Week 7, Jacksonville signed Rourke to the active roster so he could be an emergency third quarterback Thursday night against the New Orleans Saints.

Neither Rourke’s nor C.J. Beathard’s services were necessary, though, as Lawrence started and played every offensive snap in the 31-24 win.

With Lawrence coming out of the matchup unscathed, a move to clear Rourke from the 53-man roster is not surprising. It’d also be unexpected if Rourke is claimed off waivers, as any team that scooped him up would have to sign him to their active roster — something no team chose to do while the quarterback was on the Jaguars’ practice squad.

Jacksonville will likely want Rourke back on its practice squad, but has to first wait for the quarterback to clear waivers.

One step at a time. #DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/ygLHvJmNht

— Nathan Rourke (@nathan_rourke) October 21, 2023

Rourke is a former Canadian Football League star who racked up 3,349 passing yards and 25 touchdowns with 10 interceptions in his final season with the B.C. Lions. He was a preseason star for the Jaguars, recording 348 passing yards, a rushing touchdown, and a highlight reel passing touchdown.