Quarterback Trevor Lawrence is dealing with a shoulder injury. Ahead of the game, the Jacksonville Jaguars signed C.J. Beathard as insurance. The decision looks great in light of a recent update regarding the former Clemson Tiger's availability against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 10.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that the fourth-year quarterback is unlikely to play against the Vikes, pointing out that the fourth-year quarterback is weighing his options for the future.
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.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 7, 2024
Lawrence was limited in practice yesterday & coach Doug Pederson was noncommittal about his status. pic.twitter.com/9D4q5ogSe3
Responding to a comment made by former offensive coordinator Jay Gruden, Rapoport later mentioned that surgery isn't on the table right now.
No surgery scheduled, Jay. There are several options immediate and down the road. That's one of them. He's considered day-to-day with a left shoulder.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 7, 2024
But as he considers these options, Trevor Lawrence will likely not play Sunday. Mac Jones is the backup. https://t.co/xHnfzRUA1q
Lawrence hurt his shoulder in the Week 9 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Following the game, he told the press corps that he was sore. The Knoxville, Tennessee native was limited in practice Wednesday but said that he was doing everything he can to suit up against Minnesota.
Head coach Doug Pederson, for his part, told the local media that it was too early to tell if Lawrence was going to play. If he isn't good to go, Mac Jones will start in Week 10.
If Jones is the starter against Minnesota, C.J. Beathard will be the primary backup. A third-round pick in 2023, Beathard was QB2 behind Lawrence the past three years but suffered a groin injury in the preseason and was released with an injury settlement before the regular season. But in light of Lawrence's injury, the Jaguars brought him back.
Beathard spent the past two weeks with the Miami Dolphins. They signed him to their practice squad after Tyler Huntley suffered a shoulder injury.
With Mac Jones in the fold, the Jaguars are better off not rushing Trevor Lawrence
Last year, Lawrence also dealt with a myriad of ailments, but instead of resting and trying to heal, he pushed through injuries. Not surprisingly, he was noticeably hampered. In fact, he said he truly felt 100 percent until this past March. Then again, the Jacksonville Jaguars might have rolled with him because they weren't confident C.J. Beathard could keep the team afloat. That's no longer the case with Jones in the fold.
The Jacksonville Jaguars traded for Mac Jones precisely for situations like this. Although Trevor Lawrence gives them the best chance to win, Jones is no slouch.
A first-round pick in 2021, Jones helped the New England Patriots qualify for the playoffs and make the Pro Bowl as a rookie. However, he regressed the past two years and was benched several times. By the end of 2023, the Pats had seen enough of the former Alabama product and ended up trading him to the Jags in the offseason in exchange for a sixth-round selection.
Granted, there's a dropoff from Lawrence to Jones, but he's done enough to make you think he'll be up to the challenge if he has to take the field.
The bottom line is that the Jaguars would surely want to see Trevor Lawrence behind center, but they'll surely go with Mac Jones to avoid exposing him to further risk.