Lions at Riders Aug. 19, 2022

[PigSkin_53]

https://twitter.com/i/status/1560769965770153984

[Lion Guy]

Hearing some early reports Rourke may have a high ankle sprain. He could be out for awhile if it's true.

Of course that's extremely concerning - where are you hearing that?

Reported in the Leader Post and on the Rider post game show. They claimed he was in a walking boot after the game.

I went back and slowed down the play and the way his ankle rotated out, a high ankle sprain is one possible injury. Hopefully it's not as bad as suspected once the docs get a better look at it and he is back soon.

Not sure how the Regina press would figure that out as the Lions said they will assess the injury at home. Walking boot seems standard practice for a foot injury to travel.

My guess is he will return after the bye week. Here's hoping the D can get a win at home.

[Walt67]

I am not a Medical Doctor, and I do not play one on TV, but as I looked for something positive I was struck by the fact that Rourke was standing on the sidelines by the end of the game (while his foot was swathed in ice bags). Earlier, he was not putting any weight on his foot at all. I hope the Lions release some news about his status before the end of the weekend.

[Toppy Vann]

Running game needs to be better. In a tight 4th, relying on a backup QB, you need a run game.

Their running game is hardly flashy or innovative.

But in the 4th Q. at 28-10 I'm guessing the coaches felt there was no reason to do anything but protect the ball as the Riders weren't shooting the lights out.

Talk about sickening and sad is that seemingly fluke injury -- but the way Rourke was taken down with his legs flailing around uncontrollably it was not surprising he got injured.

The entire CFL has their eyes on this player and the Lions so here's hoping that 1 game gone and a bye week helps.

I'm hoping maybe a bruised top of foot BUT they'll only know when they get the pictures.

JC Abbott on 3 Down:

"The offensive line, meanwhile, had mostly managed to hold arguably the best pass-rushing unit in the CFL in check. Right tackle Kent Perkins got beat cleanly by the league’s sack leader Pete Robertson — a rep he’ll no doubt play continuously in his head for however long Rourke is absent — and A.C. Leonard perfectly executed a stunt to meet at the quarterback. It was a clean play, the first Saskatchewan sack of the game, and the twisting as Rourke tried to step up in the pocket was unavoidable."

"The best case scenario for B.C. may be a short-term absence. The team plays Saskatchewan again at home next week with the season series already in hand and then have a bye week, a near-purrfect timeline for recovery."

[swervynmerv]

I am not a Medical Doctor, and I do not play one on TV, but as I looked for something positive I was struck by the fact that Rourke was standing on the sidelines by the end of the game (while his foot was swathed in ice bags). Earlier, he was not putting any weight on his foot at all. I hope the Lions release some news about his status before the end of the weekend.

Rourke was allegedly walking around the dressing room after a game so that could be a positive as well. Sometimes with injuries, something that looks serious turns out to be minor and other times a small nick or twist reveals a major tear or break. I'm sure the doctors will be re-evaluating over the next few days after his treatments.

As other have mentioned, the timing of a less severe injury where he may miss 3-4 weeks, could be at a worse part of the season(playoffs)

The Riders QB situation will be in question for Fridays game, followed by a bye week and then the Lions play Montreal.

Pipkin has played in this league and O'Connor has shown to be somewhat competent. Sure there will be a drop off from Kid Canada but with the right game plan, those are still 2 winnable games in my opinion.

[Sir Purrcival]

"There running game is hardly flashy or innovative."


It doesn't have to be flashy or innovative, but it does have to have some efficacy when your passing attack is hampered as it was here. It wasn't just a case of coming up short, it was getting stuffed right at the LOS. Not even a hint of dangerousness in it. It has been inconsistent, looking great at sometimes but increasingly not as the season has progressed. That will come back to bite as at a time where the game isn't as under control.

[Walt67]

"There running game is hardly flashy or innovative."


It doesn't have to be flashy or innovative, but it does have to have some efficacy when your passing attack is hampered as it was here. It wasn't just a case of coming up short, it was getting stuffed right at the LOS. Not even a hint of dangerousness in it. It has been inconsistent, looking great at sometimes but increasingly not as the season has progressed. That will come back to bite as at a time where the game isn't as under control.

I know pass blocking uses very different techniques than rush blocking to open up space for Butler and Co., but it is a bit mystifying that while the Lions pass-blocking has vastly improved this campaign, a single costly sack yesterday not withstanding, the blocking on both the rushing game - and kick returns - remains comparatively ineffective. We keep saying it - a predictable diet of pass-pass-pass isn't the passport to success in October and November playoff games.

[South Pender]

Low or High, and that seems likely, that’s at least a month with two losses incoming against Calgyra. You can kiss any thoughts of a home playoff game goodbye. A shame, really.

Wow! Given what we know at this point, think you may be hanging the crepe a little early?

What rehab facilities and procedures do the Lions have for injuries like this? I remember when Russell Wilson suffered a leg injury years ago, the Seahawks had very proactive recovery procedures in place in which Wilson was receiving some treatment every day--actually several times a day--to speed up recovery.

[SammyGreene]

It's not an ankle but rather right foot injury. Sure sounds like x-rays suggest a specialist or surgeon is needed to determine what happens next.

“Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke was examined by team doctors this morning. It has been determined that further evaluation is needed on his right foot injury, which he suffered during Friday’s win in Saskatchewan. The club will update his status when available.”

[Hambone]

It's not an ankle but rather right foot injury. Sure sounds like x-rays suggest a specialist or surgeon is needed to determine what happens next.

Based on pics last night showing ice on top of his foot and not on his ankle I'd think it's either a bone(s) or ligament(s) in the foot that is the problem.

[David]

Rourke was allegedly walking around the dressing room after a game so that could be a positive as well.

Yea, I read that too but it's hard to believe he's going to go from "not being able to put any weight on it" to " ice and leaning on a back-up offensive lineman (Zerr) for support" to "walking around the locker room." Hobbling maybe, but I doubt team doctors want him putting any weight on it until he's had X-rays or an MRI.

My gut tells me ligament damage to the foot. Best case (if true, and I have absolutely nothing to go on here) would be 2-3 weeks. So definitely out for Friday and doubtful for Montreal on September 9 - the game I'm attending. Worst case, 6-8 weeks.


DH

[Hambone]

Rourke was allegedly walking around the dressing room after a game so that could be a positive as well.

Yea, I read that too but it's hard to believe he's going to go from "not being able to put any weight on it" to " ice and leaning on a back-up offensive lineman (Zerr) for support" to "walking around the locker room." Hobbling maybe, but I doubt team doctors want him putting any weight on it until he's had X-rays or an MRI.

My gut tells me ligament damage to the foot. Best case (if true, and I have absolutely nothing to go on here) would be 2-3 weeks. Worst case, 6-8 weeks.


DH

In many cases how the athlete feels the morning after is way worse than how they feel the first few hours after the injury happens. Conversely sometimes there's marked improvement. Just no way for us to know or even guess

[Hambone]

What gets interesting if Rourke is to miss time is how that impacts the roster ratio. It would seem that if O'Connor backfills as starter no issues. But if they have to turn to Pipkin or Thomson then they lose that 7th NAT starter and have to adjust. That would most likely mean disrupting the OL and replacing Norman with a NAT. If they have to go down that road I sure hope Knevel is ready. I see he is now in the 1G but the fact Zerr got to suit up ahead of him says maybe he isn't quite ready.

[maxlion]

What gets interesting if Rourke is to miss time is how that impacts the roster ratio. It would seem that if O'Connor backfills as starter no issues. But if they have to turn to Pipkin or Thomson then they lose that 7th NAT starter and have to adjust. That would most likely mean disrupting the OL and replacing Norman with a NAT. If they have to go down that road I sure hope Knevel is ready. I see he is now in the 1G but the fact Zerr got to suit up ahead of him says maybe he isn't quite ready.

It is an interesting question. I'm not sure that Pipkin is so much better than O'Connor (if at all?) that it would warrant a change to the offensive line. Perhaps another option would be start Mackie over Butler? Mackie and Pipkin might provide a pretty effective ground game.

We all hope that Rourke's injury isn't too bad. Missing a few games is no big deal. As long as he is back a few games before the playoffs start we will have a decent chance of getting to the big game.

[cromartie]

Low or High, and that seems likely, that’s at least a month with two losses incoming against Calgyra. You can kiss any thoughts of a home playoff game goodbye. A shame, really.

Wow! Given what we know at this point, think you may be hanging the crepe a little early?

What rehab facilities and procedures do the Lions have for injuries like this? I remember when Russell Wilson suffered a leg injury years ago, the Seahawks had very proactive recovery procedures in place in which Wilson was receiving some treatment every day--actually several times a day--to speed up recovery.

You’re welcome.