Editor’s notice: This story was initially revealed Dec. 1, following Jacksonville’s loss to Houston. On Wednesday, the Jaguars introduced they positioned Trevor Lawrence on injured reserve.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Jaguars’ positioned QB Trevor Lawrence on injured reserve Wednesday, possible ending his season.
Lawrence sustained a concussion Sunday on a sort out by Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair — which the quarterback’s teammates described as a “soiled hit.” He was lower than midway into his return to motion after lacking two video games with a left sprained AC joint.
With the IR designation, it is possible the franchise quarterback’s season is over early after signing a five-year, $275 million contract within the offseason.
The Jaguars are 2-10 and with the Broncos win on “Monday Evening Soccer,” Jacksonville is eradicated from playoff rivalry.
Editor’s Picks
2 Associated
Lawrence’s concussion is the newest setback in a disappointing 2024. The season started with playoff expectations after proprietor Shad Khan stated this was the very best Jaguars staff ever assembled. However nothing has gone to plan.
The staff has been riddled with accidents, the offense has regressed, and the Jaguars entered Sunday with the worst protection within the league. Coach Doug Pederson and common supervisor Trent Baalke additionally face unsure futures.
Right here is an take a look at Lawrence’s standing:
Why was Lawrence positioned on injured reserve?
Al-Shaair hit Lawrence within the head after the quarterback slid on the finish of a 6-yard scramble late within the first half, and Lawrence’s helmet hit the turf arduous as he was knocked backward. Jaguars tight finish Evan Engram retaliated in opposition to Al-Shaair, and that sparked the primary of two fights between the groups. By the point the scrum cleared, officers ejected Al-Shaair for an unlawful hit to the quarterback’s head and neck space and assessed Engram a private foul penalty.
The brawl occurred just a few yards away from Lawrence, who was down on his again together with his arms in what gave the impression to be the fencing posture — an involuntary place that happens after a mind harm. Lawrence was on the sphere for a number of minutes being tended to by medical workers earlier than ultimately being taken off on a cart — he rode in entrance sitting up. The staff then dominated him out for the remainder of the sport due to a concussion.
Pederson confirmed earlier this week that Lawrence was in concussion protocol and that he was “going to be positive.” Pederson stated the standing of Lawrence’s sprained left AC joint sustained vs. the Eagles in Week 9 would issue into their choice on whether or not to close Lawrence down, however added that harm didn’t get aggravated by the hit.
In an identical state of affairs, Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered a concussion earlier this season by which he displayed the fencing posture. He was additionally positioned on IR and was out for 5 weeks. Tagovailoa had a historical past of three earlier concussions.
0:50
Schefter: Trevor Lawrence to IR, season possible over
Adam Schefter reviews on Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence being moved to injured reserve.
Does this finish Lawrence’s season?
Anybody positioned on IR has to overlook at the least 4 video games. The Jaguars have 5 remaining — two in opposition to Tennessee, the New York Jets, Las Vegas and Indianapolis — so Lawrence technically may return for the ultimate sport of the season, however that is unlikely. Particularly if he does go for surgical procedure on his left shoulder, which is one thing he stated final week that he would not rule out.
Is that this Lawrence’s first concussion?
Comply with the NFL all season lengthy
• Full schedule » | Standings »• Depth charts for each staff »• Transactions » | Accidents »• Soccer Energy Index »• Playoff image projections »Extra NFL protection »
It is his second identified concussion with the Jaguars and third recognized identified concussion relationship again to his three-year profession at Clemson.
Lawrence suffered a concussion within the Jaguars’ Week 15 loss to Baltimore final December however began the Jaguars’ subsequent sport in opposition to Tampa Bay. Lawrence additionally suffered a concussion in opposition to Syracuse throughout his freshman season at Clemson (2018) however began the next week in opposition to Wake Forest.
Will Mac Jones proceed to begin at QB?
Sure. The Jaguars actually do not have a lot selection. The staff re-signed C.J. Beathard on Nov. 6, three days after Lawrence injured his nonthrowing shoulder in opposition to Philadelphia, as further QB depth, and he was Jones’ backup in opposition to Minnesota and Detroit.
Beathard, who had been Lawrence’s backup from 2021 to 2023, was the emergency quarterback Sunday and was eligible to play in opposition to the Texans had Jones gotten damage.
Jones struggled in his two begins whereas Lawrence was out, throwing for a mixed 249 yards and no touchdowns with three interceptions and main the Jaguars to a mixed 13 factors in losses to Minnesota and Detroit. Although, he had his greatest sport of the season in opposition to the Texans on Sunday, throwing for 235 yards and two touchdowns after Lawrence left.
Jones, the No. 15 general decide in 2021, was traded to the Jaguars by the Patriots this offseason. This season was the final remaining on his rookie contract. He can be enjoying for a job, whether or not in Jacksonville or elsewhere, in Lawrence’s absence.
So as to add depth, the Jaguars signed journeyman John Wolford to the observe squad on Tuesday.
What are the Jaguars’ objectives for the remainder of the season?
There’s an opportunity to guage some youthful gamers, equivalent to receiver Parker Washington, defensive sort out Maason Smith, defensive sort out Jordan Jefferson, cornerback Jarrian Jones, and cornerback De’Antre Prince, to see the place they slot in going ahead.
For Jones, it is an opportunity to audition for a beginning job elsewhere. Carry out properly within the ultimate 5 video games and he may have a number of choices.
Engram hopes the ultimate video games are about self-respect and remaining dedicated.
“How we end in all probability will not erase the sensation we now have of the season, however [for] the satisfaction of this franchise, the satisfaction of the staff, it is undoubtedly price going to complete sturdy and going to get some wins and combating for that,” he stated.
