At a time where many players are fighting for a roster spot, Jaguars quarterback Nathan Rourke added to his case for a backup role on Saturday with an electric highlight against the Cowboys.
Nearly seven months after joining Jacksonville, Rourke, a standout in the CFL in 2022, took the field for the first time as an NFL player after starting the second half of the club’s preseason opener in Dallas.
With the Jaguars up, 22–16, and facing third-and-16, Rourke dazzled fans with a gritty scramble to avoid three tackles before firing a 21-yard dart to running back Qadree Ollison for a touchdown with a defender wrapped around his waist.
Needless to say, Rourke showing off some magician-like evasiveness for the TD, coupled with him finishing the previous drive with a rushing score, added to what was a sensational “Welcome to the NFL” outing for the newcomer.
It's not over until Nathan says it's over.@nathan_rourke | #JAXvsDAL on CBS pic.twitter.com/LGOpiBRvOw
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) August 12, 2023
As the preseason continues, it’ll be interesting to see how Rourke, the Jags’ current third-string QB behind Trevor Lawrence and C.J. Beathard, fares in the next two contests.
But, if Saturday’s highlight was any indication, Rourke, who went unselected out of Ohio in the 2021 draft, may be shoo-in for QB2 if he keeps it up. Outside of his sensational passing TD, Rourke finished the game 9-of-17 for 153 yards to go with six carries for 20 yards in a 28–23 victory.
