Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke will have surgery for a sprained right foot, the CFL club announced Sunday.
The Lions stated that Rourke was diagnosed with a Lisfranc sprain in his foot.
Rourke was injured in BC’s 28-10 win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Friday night.
“It has been determined that the best course of action is for Nathan to undergo surgery, which will happen very soon,” the Lions said in a statement. “The club remain hopeful that the surgery and subsequent rehab will open the door for a late-season return.
“Michael O’Connor will start at quarterback against Saskatchewan on Friday.”
Rourke, a 24-year-old from Victoria, is in his first full season as a starter with the Lions (8-1), who are second in the West Division behind the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (9-1).
It was a stellar 22 season for Rourke, who leads the CFL in passing yards (3,281), TDs (25), and completion percentage (79.2).
Rourke has also rushed for 304 yards and seven TDs on 39 carries.
He has been named the CFL’s top performer for the past three weeks and five times this season.