In a blow to the Jacksonville Jaguars, starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence has been diagnosed with a sprained right AC joint. The extent of the injury is unclear, leaving Lawrence’s availability for Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers up in the air. The news was confirmed by Jaguars coach Doug Pederson during a press conference on Tuesday.
Despite showing signs of improvement, it remains uncertain whether Lawrence will be able to practice on Wednesday. Pederson expressed caution, suggesting that it might be too soon for Lawrence to resume practicing. In the event that Lawrence is unable to participate, backup quarterback C.J. Beathard will once again take the first-team reps. This, of course, raises concerns about the team’s performance without their star quarterback leading the offense.
To mitigate the risks associated with Lawrence’s injury, the Jaguars made a strategic move by signing quarterback Matt Barkley from the New York Giants’ practice squad. However, Barkley’s lack of recent game experience is cause for concern. Having last taken a snap in 2020, Barkley’s track record as a starter is also less than stellar, with a 2-5 win-loss record during his stints with the Chicago Bears and Buffalo Bills. It is uncertain how quickly Barkley can acclimate and perform if called upon.
In order to make room for Barkley on the roster, the Jaguars were forced to place special teams standout Daniel Thomas on injured reserve due to a broken left forearm. Thomas’ absence will be felt, as he has consistently demonstrated his value as a key contributor on special teams.
Lawrence sustained the injury during the Jaguars’ recent 30-12 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Late in the third quarter, Lawrence stretched and dove for a first down on the sideline during a fourth-and-1 play. Unfortunately, he was shoved by Bucs linebacker Yaya Diaby, causing him to land out of bounds on his right shoulder and slide into the opposing team’s bench area. Although Lawrence initially stayed in the game to finish the drive, it became evident that he was hindered by the pain and inability to throw with full force.
“I knew something was off when I landed,” Lawrence recounted. “It kind of hurts to throw. I wanted to finish the drive out and we were able to get some points, but on the 2-point [conversion attempt], I couldn’t really get my shoulder up enough to continue playing. It was clear that staying in the game would have been detrimental to the team’s performance, so the decision was made for me to take a seat for the rest of the night.”
In Lawrence’s absence, C.J. Beathard stepped in and finished the game against the Buccaneers. Beathard showcased his competence by completing 11 of 15 passes for 94 yards and a touchdown. However, it must be noted that Beathard has not started a game since the 2020 regular-season finale when he was with the San Francisco 49ers. With a record of 2-10 as a starter, all with the 49ers, questions arise regarding his ability to effectively lead the Jaguars’ offense.
Prior to his injury, Lawrence had a mixed performance against the Buccaneers. He completed 18 of 30 passes for 213 yards and one touchdown, but also threw two interceptions and lost a fumble. This marked Lawrence’s eighth game with three or more turnovers since entering the NFL in 2021, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. This statistic is concerning, as it highlights a recurring issue that Lawrence and the Jaguars need to address.
As the week progresses, the Jaguars will closely monitor Lawrence’s recovery and determine his status for the upcoming game against the Panthers. The outcome of his injury will undoubtedly impact the team’s performance and chances of securing a victory. In the meantime, the team must prepare backup quarterback C.J. Beathard for the possibility of leading the offense. The Jaguars will need to rally together, demonstrating adaptability and resilience in the face of adversity. Only time will tell how this injury setback will impact the trajectory of the team’s season.
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