New York Giants waive Canadian quarterback Nathan Rourke

EAST RUTHERFORD – The New York Giants are releasing Canadian quarterback Nathan Rourke.

Giants head coach Brian Daboll announced the move Sunday.

New York claimed Rourke, 26, of Victoria, off waivers May 7 but he didn’t see much action during the first week of the Giants’ training camp.

Rourke finished last season with New England. He was inactive for two games before dressing as a backup in the Patriots regular-season finale versus the New York Jets on Jan. 7.

New England placed Rourke on waivers after taking two quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL draft, including Drake Maye in the first round.

Rourke originally signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars following two seasons with the CFL’s B.C. Lions.

The six-foot-two, 209-pound Rourke was named the CFL’s top Canadian in 2022 after completing 78.7 per cent of his passes for 3,349 yards and 25 TDs over 10 regular-season contests.

He also ran for 304 yards (7.8-yard average) and seven TDs despite missing time with a Lisfranc injury.

Daboll also said New York is activating rookie tight end Theo Johnson from the PUP (physically unable to perform) list. The Giants selected the six-foot-six, 259-pound Johnson, of Windsor, Ont., in the fourth round of the ’24 NFL draft out of Penn State.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 28, 2024.