The Jaguars are set to take on the Vikings on Sunday at home. Jacksonville, which is 2-7 on the year, has struggled consistently throughout the season. And now, the Jaguars might be dealing with an injury to their star quarterback, Trevor Lawrence.
The health of Lawrence has become the biggest storyline for the team ahead of a must-win game for Jacksonville. Earlier this week, Lawrence was listed as limited in practice due to what head coach Doug Pederson referred to as an upper body injury.
Lawrence, who signed a five-year, $275 million contract extension over the summer, has struggled to find consistency in the passing game this summer.
As if Jacksonville’s 2-7 isn’t enough indication, Lawrence has completed just 61.3 percent of his passes — the lowest of his career thus far — while throwing for 2,004 yards, with 11 touchdowns and six interceptions. And it looks like Lawrence’s injury will add to the list of concerns, as Jacksonville is on-pace for its worst record since the quarterback’s rookie season in 2021.
Will Lawrence suit up against the Vikings in Week 10? The Sporting News explains.
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Is Trevor Lawrence playing this week?
Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Lawrence won’t play in Week 10, and his immediate future is uncertain due to a “significant” AC joint sprain.
Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said Friday that Lawrence had been trending toward not playing in Sunday’s game. Pederson made those comments ahead of Friday’s practice.
The injury is to Lawrence’s left, non-throwing shoulder, according to Rapoport. Although the signal-caller is receiving treatment on the injury ahead of Sunday’s game, Rapoport reported Thursday that Lawrence was unlikely to play against the Vikings:
As #Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence (left shoulder) continues to get treatment and weigh options for the future, sources say he’s considered unlikely to play Sunday vs the #Vikings.
Lawrence was limited in practice yesterday & coach Doug Pederson was noncommittal about his status. pic.twitter.com/9D4q5ogSe3
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 7, 2024
The injury occurred during Jacksonville’s 28-23 road loss to the Philadelphia Eagles last week. In the loss, Lawrence had one of the worst performances of his season, finishing with 169 yards passing and two interceptions. Lawrence was seen at practice on Thursday going through some drills and throwing a bit:
Couple different looks at QB Trevor Lawrence (upper-body) during media-viewing portion of practice today.
With Lawrence “unlikely” to play vs #Vikings (per @RapSheet), Mac Jones the first QB to go through drills. #Jaguars | #DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/g5CD0LwEBl
— Mia O’Brien (@MiaOBrienTV) November 7, 2024
Does Trevor Lawrence need surgery?
Former Washington Commanders head coach Jay Gruden indicated that Lawrence would need surgery. However, Rapoport pushed back on this, saying that there has been no surgery scheduled, adding that Lawrence has “several options” for dealing with the injury.
Lawrence undergoing surgery would likely mean the quarterback is out for the season. So for now, Jacksonville fans can be reassured that the injury doesn’t appear to require surgery, at least at this time.
After Jacksonville’s game against the Vikings, the Jaguars will go on the road to play the Lions in Week 11. The Jags then have a bye week before their Dec. 1 home game against the Texans. The bye week could be an opportunity for Lawrence to get healthy if he’s unable to play against the Lions. Playing back-to-back games against the two teams that are leading the NFC North is a tough task for any team, let alone the struggling Jaguars.
WEEK 10 FANTASY FOOTBALL RANKINGS:
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Trevor Lawrence fantasy outlook
Fantasy teams have been wary of using Lawrence in 2024 due to his struggles under center. With him set to miss Week 10, Jones is unlikely to provide fantasy value in standard leagues.
The Jaguars’ skill-position players, particularly the team’s wide receivers, will take a hit without Lawrence. Gabe Davis and Brian Thomas Jr. are both coming off injuries of their own, though were able to get in limited practices Wednesday. If they are able to play, they could see reduced numbers with Lawrence out.
Jacksonville QB depth chart
| Rank | Player |
| 1 | Trevor Lawrence (injured) |
| 2 | Mac Jones |
| 3 | C.J. Beathard |
As for who will start in-place of Lawrence, is sounds like quarterback No. 2, Mac Jones, will be the starter.
“Trevor is sore, obviously,” Pederson said this week via the Florida Times-Union. “It gives us assurance. Mac is still [the] number two [quarterback] and prepares each week to play and now we’ve got another veteran quarterback on the roster,” Pederson said.
Jones was traded to Jacksonville after spending the first two seasons of his career with the Patriots. The former No. 15 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft had a 18-24 overall record in New England, while throwing for 8,946 yards with 46 touchdowns and 36 interceptions.
Behind Jones is longtime NFL backup C.J. Beathard. In the league since 2017, Beathard spent three seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, and has been in Jacksonville since 2021.
Lawrence will officially be sidelined in Week 10. Regardless, it’s been a roller coaster of a season in Jacksonville so far. Add the injury to its star quarterback to the laundry-list of issues for the Jaguars during a down season.
