Lawrence sidelined again; Jones to start vs. Lions.
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) walks on the sideline during the fourth quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024 at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Vikings defeated the Jaguars 12-7. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence will sit out his second consecutive game due to an injury to his left, non-throwing shoulder.
Coach Doug Pederson confirmed on Wednesday that Lawrence won’t play and that Mac Jones will step in as the starter against the 8-1 Detroit Lions on Sunday.
“We don’t want to put a player out there that’s not a hundred percent, so we’re going to rest him more week,” Pederson explained.
The Jaguars have a bye week following the game against Detroit, giving Lawrence three full weeks to recover before they face the Houston Texans on December 1.
“We’ve got some time,” Pederson added. “It’s still a question mark, but I’m optimistic.”
Lawrence sustained the shoulder injury during a scramble in the game against Philadelphia on November 3. Opting for a head-first dive instead of sliding, he collided with linebacker Zack Baun. Although Lawrence participated in limited practices last week, he was ultimately ruled out before Jacksonville’s 12-7 loss to Minnesota.
Mac Jones takes the reins
Mac Jones, making his first start in nearly a year, had a rough outing last week. He completed 14 of 22 passes for 111 yards but was sacked three times and turned the ball over three times in the fourth quarter. His performance included two interceptions and a fumble. The Jaguars, now sitting at 2-8, finished the game with just 143 total yards—one of the lowest outputs in franchise history.
Jones, a pending free agent, is looking to make the most of this opportunity to showcase his skills ahead of next season. Jacksonville acquired him in March by trading a sixth-round pick to New England to bolster their quarterback depth.
“It’s the simple things, going through my reads, taking what the defense gives and leading the team down the field,” Jones said.
Lawrence’s injury history and outlook
Trevor Lawrence, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft, had been remarkably durable until recent seasons. In 2023, he missed his first professional game due to a sprained right shoulder sustained in Week 16.
Other injuries have also disrupted his practice time, including a sprained left knee (Week 6), a sprained right ankle (Week 13), and a concussion (Week 15).
Head coach Pederson noted last week that Lawrence performs best when he gets consistent practice reps during the week.
Despite the setbacks, the Jaguars solidified their commitment to Lawrence in June by signing him to a five-year, $275 million contract extension, making him one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in NFL history.
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Image: © Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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