B.C. Lions to sit Rourke, start Salter vs. Winnipeg Blue Bombers

SURREY — The B.C. Lions will start Kaidon Salter at quarterback for their regular-season finale against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Friday.

Head coach Buck Pierce said he’s giving regular starter Nathan Rourke the night off.

“You’re always thinking team first in the situation that you’re in,” Pierce said after practice on Tuesday. “And we feel confident with the guys, and we feel good about where we’re at.”

B.C. (10-7) has already locked up second place in the CFL’s West Division and the right to host the divisional semifinal on Oct. 31, while Winnipeg (8-9) needs a victory to secure a post-season berth.

Rourke — the CFL’s reigning outstanding player and outstanding Canadian — has put up 4,614 passing yards for the Lions this season with 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, despite missing two games with a shoulder injury. He has also rushed for 356 yards with three majors.

Salter stepped in for the injured Rourke and led the Lions to a 35-19 road victory in Winnipeg on July 30.

The experience came with lessons, Salter said.

“Just being able to take my time and go through my reads, and whenever something wasn’t there, I was able to use my legs,” he said. “So just knowing that they have a very big and physical defence, they’re going to come out and they’re going to fight and they’re going to play hard.

“They’re a team that plays to the end, so we just got to go out there and do the same.”

The 23-year-old American also came in for Rourke in the second half of B.C.’s 32-13 loss to the Stampeders in Calgary on Saturday.

Salter has 330 passing yards with one touchdown and one interception this season, his first CFL campaign.

He could share snaps with B.C.’s latest quarterback addition on Friday.

The Lions signed former Kansas City Chiefs QB Chris Oladokun to the practice roster on Sept. 21.

The 29-year-old American has yet to get into a game, but said he’s learned a lot about the CFL in recent weeks.

“It’s a lot of fun,” Oladokun said on Tuesday. “I’m still getting caught up on some of the clock stuff because that’s a little new. But there’s just so much space out there.

“And when you have great playmakers like we do, the quarterbacks … are really just like a point guard. You’re just trying to dish the ball out to your playmakers and let them go be special guys. So that’s been the thing that’s stuck out the most being up here.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 20, 2026.

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press