BC Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke will need surgery on the right leg injury he suffered in Friday’s win over Saskatchewan, jeopardizing his chances of a 2022 return. The Lions revealed the diagnosis in the following statement on Sunday. “After extensive consultation with team doctors and foot specialists, Nathan was diagnosed with a Lisfranc sprain in his right leg. It has been determined that the best course of action is for Nathan to undergo surgery, which will take place very soon. The club remain optimistic that the surgery and subsequent recovery will open the door to a late-season return. Michael O’Connor will start at quarterback on Friday against Saskatchewan.” Lisfranc surgery requires patients not to bear weight on their injured leg for six to eight weeks after the procedure. Total recovery time can range from three to six months, according to most medical sources. Rourke suffered the injury Friday night after being sacked by Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive end Pete Robertson early in the fourth quarter. The general’s lower right leg was twisted while being brought to the ground deep in BC territory. He was helped off the field without putting weight on the foot, and the BC coaching staff removed his shoe to evaluate his foot after he reached the bench. The sophomore passer completed 22 of 31 pass attempts for 375 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions with just over three-quarters of the work against Saskatchewan. He also ran the ball three times for 63 yards as his team went 28-10. Rourke quickly became the first player to win this year after completing 79.2 percent of his passes for 3,281 yards, 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in nine games. He was on pace to break the CFL single-season record for completion percentage and tackles. O’Connor’s replacement will make his first career start this week. The UBC product was drafted in the third round of the 2019 CFL Draft by the Toronto Argonauts, appearing in nine games as a rookie and completing 15-of-25 passes for 173 yards and a touchdown. He signed with the Calgary Stampeders ahead of the 2021 season, but failed to win the team’s backup job, dressing in six games without ever seeing the field. The Orleans, Ont., native has served as the Lions’ backup in all nine games this season, completing 9-of-12 passes for 63 yards and an interception in garbage time action while adding a rushing touchdown. In two preseason appearances, he was 30-of-38 passing for 302 yards and two touchdowns. 27-year-old journeyman Antonio Pipkin will be the team’s primary backup, while promising junior Kevin Thomson could come off the injured list to round out the QB depth chart.
