The New York Giants waive Canadian quarterback Nathan Rourke

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

Giants head coach Brian Daboll announced the move on Sunday.

New York claimed Rourke, 26, of Victoria, off waivers on May 7, but he didn’t see much action in the first week of 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 against the New York Jets on January 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 after two seasons with the BC Lions of the CFL.

The 209-pound Rourke was named the CFL’s 2022 Canadian of the Year after completing 78.7 percent of his passes for 3,349 yards and 25 carries during 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 6-foot-6, 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 on July 28, 2024.

The Canadian Press