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 less expected about the decision is that the Jaguars didn’t use 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.
While that would seemingly suggest Lawrence isn’t likely to play, it actually suggests the opposite. If the Jaguars temporarily elevated Rourke from the practice squad, he wouldn’t be eligible to be designated as a third emergency quarterback. By putting him on the active roster, the Jaguars can have Rourke available as a 49th player to dress Thursday.
That decision would only be advantageous if Lawrence is active.
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.
