Tyrone's 1-15 to 0-13 loss to Louth leaves them level with Kildare in the drop zone, just one point ahead of Cavan. With the league campaign winding down, finishing in the top two looks unlikely.
O'Rourke confirmed the Red Hands will have to dig deep without star forward Canavan, who is heading to Australia for a month. Tyrone host bottom-of-the-table Offaly this Saturday in a crucial relegation six-pointer.