This AFC Team Put In Waiver Claim For New Patriots Quarterback

The Patriots weren’t the only team interested in Nathan Rourke after the quarterback was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

New England claimed Rourke off waivers Monday a few hours after the Los Angeles Chargers signed fellow signal-caller Will Grier off of the Patriots practice squad. According to ESPN’s Field Yates, Houston also put in a waiver claim for Rourke, but the 25-year-old was awarded to New England due to a higher priority number.

The Texans’ interest in Rourke is not a surprise, as starter C.J. Stroud currently is dealing with a concussion. Case Keenum was given the nod for Sunday’s overtime road win over the Tennessee Titans, and the 35-year-old filled in admirably by completing 23 of 36 pass attempts for 229 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Davis Mills, a 2021 third-round pick, was Keenum’s backup in Week 15.

Rourke now joins a Patriots team that needed quarterback depth after losing both Grier and dual-threat rookie Malik Cunningham in less than a week. Since New England acquired Rourke via waivers rather than poaching him from a practice squad, it is not subject to any NFL rules about presence on the 53-man roster.

The Patriots, who dropped to 3-11 with their home loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, will be in Denver on Sunday night for a primetime matchup with the Broncos.