The 1-4 B.C. Lions have been given a lifeline.
A poor start to the season, not helped by the World Cup’s presence at BC Place forcing them out of their home for the early part of the campaign, looked to be on the verge of collapse after quarterback Nathan Rourke suffered an injury to his non-throwing shoulder in last week’s 19-17 loss to the Edmonton Elks.
But, after Rourke was last seen on the Lions’ sideline with his arm in a sling, the team has received good news on his status following an MRI.
“It’s going to be weeks rather than months, and knowing Nate, it’ll be sooner rather than later,” general manager Ryan Rigmaiden told media Tuesday, according to 3 Down Nation.
“I can’t give you anything else in terms of weeks, but it’s definitely going to be more weeks than months, and so we’re excited about that.”
Rourke's timeline, provided it remains optimistic, should help keep B.C. in the picture a year after it finished second in the West Division at 11-7. The Lions will play their first game in Vancouver this Saturday, and a further six from Week 10 onward.
A slow start and a home slate in Kelowna have put them in a hole, but with Rourke’s return looming in a matter of weeks, there will be hope in a late-season playoff surge.
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