JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Jaguars’ season took one other flip for the more serious Sunday when Trevor Lawrence sustained a concussion on a sort out by Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair — which the quarterback’s teammates described as a “soiled hit.”
Lawrence was making his return to motion Sunday after lacking two video games due to a left shoulder harm. The concussion has led to questions over whether or not the Jaguars ought to shut Lawrence down for the remainder of the season moderately than danger additional harm to their franchise quarterback, who signed a five-year, $275 million contract within the offseason.
The Jaguars at the moment are 2-10 and have been formally eradicated from competition within the AFC South with the 23-20 loss to the Texans. One other loss would get rid of them from playoff competition.
Lawrence’s concussion is the most recent setback in a disappointing 2024. The season started with playoff expectations after proprietor Shad Khan mentioned this was the very best Jaguars group ever assembled. However nothing has gone to plan.
The group 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 basic supervisor Trent Baalke additionally face unsure futures.
Right here is an preliminary have a look at Lawrence’s standing:
What will we learn about Lawrence’s harm?
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 onerous 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 seemed 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 employees earlier than ultimately being taken off on a cart — he rode in entrance sitting up. The group then dominated him out for the remainder of the sport due to a concussion.
Apart from confirming Lawrence is within the concussion protocol, Pederson did not have a lot info instantly after the sport as a result of he mentioned he hadn’t but talked to group medical doctors. However he did say he talked to Lawrence at halftime and that “Trevor’s going to be superb.”
Lawrence was seen strolling out of the locker room postgame together with his spouse, Marissa. He posted to X on Sunday evening saying he was “house and feeling higher.”
He should progress by means of the protocol, and that is one thing that might take days or perhaps weeks. Pederson mentioned earlier this season that he realized throughout Lawrence’s stretch of accidents final season (ankle, knee, shoulder and a concussion) that Lawrence wants apply to really feel comfy taking part in, so it is logical to imagine that if Lawrence does not return to apply till late within the week, his likelihood of taking part in in opposition to Tennessee on Sunday is not good.
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Combat breaks out after late hit knocks Trevor Lawrence out of recreation
Tensions boil over because the Texans’ Azeez Al-Shaair is ejected for a late hit on a sliding Trevor Lawrence, who must be carted off following the play.
Might the group shut down Lawrence for the season?
Pederson mentioned after the sport it was too quickly to consider that, however it actually would make sense. Lawrence sprained his left AC joint in opposition to the Eagles in Week 9 and had missed the group’s previous two video games. He is not utterly wholesome and earlier within the week mentioned he wasn’t going to rule out surgical procedure on his shoulder earlier than the season ended.
The Jaguars are down two beginning receivers (Christian Kirk and Gabe Davis) and the season is actually over, so they won’t need to danger his well being any additional.
Is that this Lawrence’s first concussion?
It is his second recognized concussion with the Jaguars and third recognized recognized 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 recreation 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.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered a concussion earlier this season wherein he displayed the fencing posture. He spent 5 weeks on injured reserve. Tagovailoa had a historical past of three earlier concussions. Relying on the severity of Lawrence’s concussion, the Jaguars might decide to observe an analogous path by resting him for the remainder of the season.
Will Mac Jones proceed to be the backup if Lawrence is out long run?
Sure. The Jaguars actually do not have a lot selection. The group re-signed C.J. Beathard on Nov. 6, three days after Lawrence injured his nonthrowing shoulder in opposition to Philadelphia, as extra 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 harm. Jones had 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.
Jones had his finest recreation of the season in opposition to the Texans, throwing for 235 yards and two touchdowns after Lawrence left.