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Michael DiRocco, ESPN Employees Author
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 damage. The concussion has led to questions over whether or not the Jaguars ought to shut Lawrence down for the remainder of the season fairly than threat additional damage to their franchise quarterback, who signed a five-year, $275 million contract within the offseason.
The Jaguars at the moment are 2-10 and had 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 newest setback in a disappointing 2024. The season started with playoff expectations after proprietor Shad Khan mentioned this was the most effective Jaguars workforce ever assembled. However nothing has gone to plan.
The workforce has been riddled with injuries, the offense has regressed, and the Jaguars entered Sunday with the worst protection within the league. Coach Doug Pederson and normal supervisor Trent Baalke additionally face unsure futures.
Right here is an preliminary take a look at Lawrence’s standing:
What can we learn about Lawrence’s damage?
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 towards 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 a couple of 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 damage. 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 workforce 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 data instantly after the sport as a result of he mentioned he hadn’t but talked to workforce 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 night time saying he was “house and feeling higher.”
He should progress via the protocol, and that is one thing that would take days or even 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 observe to really feel comfy enjoying, so it is logical to imagine that if Lawrence does not return to observe till late within the week, his likelihood of enjoying towards Tennessee on Sunday is not good.
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Battle breaks out after late hit knocks Trevor Lawrence out of sport
Tensions boil over because the Texans’ Azeez Al-Shaair is ejected for a late hit on a sliding Trevor Lawrence, who needs to be carted off following the play.
May the workforce shut down Lawrence for the season?
Pederson mentioned after the sport it was too quickly to consider that, but it surely actually would make sense. Lawrence sprained his left AC joint towards the Eagles in Week 9 and had missed the workforce’s previous two video games. He isn’t fully 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 threat his well being any additional.
Is that this Lawrence’s first concussion?
It is his second recognized concussion with the Jaguars and third identified recognized concussion courting 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 towards Tampa Bay. Lawrence additionally suffered a concussion towards Syracuse throughout his freshman season at Clemson (2018) however began the next week towards Wake Forest.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered a concussion earlier this season by which he displayed the fencing posture. He spent five weeks on injured reserve. Tagovailoa had a historical past of three earlier concussions. Relying on the severity of Lawrence’s concussion, the Jaguars may decide to comply with 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 haven’t got a lot selection. The workforce re-signed C.J. Beathard on Nov. 6, three days after Lawrence injured his nonthrowing shoulder towards Philadelphia, as extra QB depth, and he was Jones’ backup towards Minnesota and Detroit.
Beathard, who had been Lawrence’s backup from 2021 to 2023, was the emergency quarterback Sunday and was eligible to play towards the Texans had Jones gotten damage. 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 sport of the season towards the Texans, throwing for 235 yards and two touchdowns after Lawrence left.
