Lions Notebook: B.C. Place stage awaits understudy QB Chase Brice

Дата публикации: 21-07-2026 23:54:38

A left shoulder injury to starting quarterback Nathan Rourke has put pressure on Chase Brice to deliver Saturday

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Chase Brice is accustomed to dress rehearsals as an understudy. Now he gets to command the stage as the principal performer.

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The B.C. Lions’ backup quarterback will be pressed into the starter’s role Saturday as Nathan Rourke recovers from a left-shoulder injury. The reigning most outstanding player was sacked on the second play on Friday in Edmonton during a 19-17 loss to the Elks that saw the club’s record drop to 1-4.

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There is speculation Rourke suffered an AC-joint ailment — damage to ligaments that connect the collarbone to the top of the shoulder blade — and pain management could sideline the starter for two or three weeks. The Lions didn’t clarify the actual ailment Tuesday or a timeline for his return.

“The good news is nothing surgical, and now it’s just how quickly he’s going to heal up,” Lions general manager Ryan Rigmaiden said. “He’s the type of guy you have to protect from himself. He’s always chomping to get on the field. And that’s a good thing.”

It has put pressure on Brice, who was harassed by a ferocious pass rush Friday, and his first of four interceptions occurred on his initial pass attempt. He was limited by a lack of mobility and accuracy, but completed 20 of 34 passes for 236 yards and one touchdown.

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Brice, 28, has a CFL resume that reads like an understudy by dressing for all 36 regular-season games the last two seasons and seeing limited playing time. The 6-foot-2, 236-pound Grayson, Georgia native took snaps in six games that amounted to completing 25 of 33 passes for 262 yards and his first career touchdown toss in 2024 against the Toronto Argonauts.

In the Lions’ long-awaited return to B.C. Place on Saturday (4 p.m., TSN) to face the 2-4 Argonauts, Brice will pay the price if he doesn’t make better reads to find an open target.

B.C. Lions quarterback Chase Brice fakes a handoff to to James Butler during CFL action against the Edmonton Elks at Commonwealth Stadium on July 17. Photo by David Bloom /Postmedia

“It’s working through kinks and things I could be better at,” admitted Brice. “I do a good job of getting the ball out quick, but there is adversity and it’s how I respond. There’s always pressure, and Friday was a huge learning experience to just trust your eyes. And that comes with reps. I’m very comfortable with this offence to let our big players make plays.”

Opportunity is clearly knocking. The Argonauts have allowed the second-most passing yardage per outing, with an average of 348.8 and third-most points per game at 34.5. They have locked it down in denying running games by giving up just 85.7 yards per contest.

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So, what does Brice do? Nickel-and-dime his way down the field with short passes on sustained drives, or expose the secondary early with long bombs?

“You’re looking for decisive command of the offence,” said Lions head coach Buck Pierce. “You have to understand what guys do well and put them in those positions. Go play and let the game come to you. It’s sticking with the offence because mistakes are going to come.

“We’re going to try and control the line of scrimmage and be more physical, and we will be.”

Brice is no stranger to filling in for a star quarterback.

At Clemson, he answered the call in 2018 when Trevor Lawrence suffered a head injury in the second quarter against Syracuse. Brice rallied his club from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter for a 27-23 triumph, including a winning 12-play, 94-yard drive. It kept the No. 3 Tigers in contention for a College Football Playoff berth and then claiming their second national NCAA title in three seasons.

Lions add depth with QB Adams

Kaidon Salter, 23, signed as a free agent May 4, and will back up Brice, while Tyrie Adams, 29, was added to the roster Tuesday to briing in quarterback depth. He played 23 games for the Ottawa Redblacks over four seasons.

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Adams was a third-stringer and dressed for six games in 2022, including an 8-for-12 passing performance for 98 yards in the season finale. When pressed into duty the following year, he completed seven of 13 attempts for 185 yards and a touchdown in a victory over the Elks.

The following month, he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament and missed remainder of the 2023 season.

“Whatever circumstances happen, I’ll be ready to come in at any time,” said Adams. “This offence runs a lot of RPOs (run, pass, option) and it fits my skill set. I’m able to get outside of the defensive end and make that pass down the field.”

Finally, back to home sweet dome

The World Cup punted the Lions out of the refurbished and refreshed B.C. Place, and after a pre-season game in Langford plus a pair of regular-season contests in Kelowna, they are looking for much-needed mojo on home turf Saturday.

“It will be great to be back,” said Brice. “We’ve been on the road for nine weeks, and two byes in all of that. I’m excited to back in front of our fan base.”

Added Pierce: “We are excited to be back in that building — absolutely. We love our crowd and that stadium.”

bkuzma@postmedia.com

Read More

1. 

   B.C. Lions update: Nathan Rourke slated to see doctor today about injured shoulder

2. 

   B.C. Lions: Why Nathan Rourke needs more than a strong arm to eliminate Elks

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