Initial Jaguars injury report for Week 13 offers encouraging Trevor Lawrence update

Not long after Trevor Lawrence suffered a shoulder sprain, chatter about potentially getting season-ending surgery. While it remains a possibility, the injury report for Week 13, along with comments head coach Doug Pederson made, offers optimism for the quarterback's availability in the rematch against the Houston Texans.

Lawrence popped up on the Week 13 injury report, which is understandable when you take into account that he's missed the past two games. Then again, the former Clemson Tiger is trending in the right direction. He partook in practice Monday and got most of the first-team reps Wednesday, meaning that there's a chance he'll suit up for the divisional bout.

While there are several things at play, Lawrence says he feels much better but is taking it day by day.

"Monday was a big day coming off the break and taking some time off before that for myself. So Monday was a big day, and I was able to do some stuff on the field, which is the first time in a while that I was able to do really anything significant," Lawrence told the local media Wednesday. "So that was great. And then today will be the same thing, kind of ramp it up a little bit more and move around and try to simulate some game tempo, speed stuff for me, and see how I move."

Lawrence continued, "I felt pretty good up at this point, it's kind of a balancing act. You don't want to push it too hard and set it back any but you also want to get yourself ready to play. So that's what we're doing today and tomorrow, just going to see how it responds and how I feel, and I feel like we have a great plan, and just take it day by day."

Pederson, for his part, says he's encouraged with the progress the Jaguars signal-caller has made but isn't ready to commit to him yet.

"It's encouraging. We'll get through today," Pederson told the local media Wednesday when asked about Lawrence. "Obviously, I'm not going to commit, but it was a good start to the week. And so we'll see how he how he handles much more of a workload today."

All things considered, Pederson is taking the right approach with the fourth-year quarterback. After all, he may not be ready for an uptick in workload and could ultimately suffer a setback if he presses too hard. On the other hand, it's great to hear Lawrence is taking a step forward.

If Lawrence is ultimately not good enough to go, Mac Jones will start for the third time this season, which would be less than ideal. In the past two games, he completed 60.78 percent of his throws for 249 yards with three interceptions.

Apart from Lawrence, cornerback Tyson Campbell (shoulder) popped up on the injury report. Running back Tank Bigsby (ankle) and right guard Brandon Scherff (knee) also made an appearance but were full participants. On the other hand, linebacker Yasir Abdullah missed practice with a hamstring injury.

The Jaguars must take a precautionary approach to Trevor Lawrence's shoulder injury

Last year, Trevor Lawrence was thrust into action because the Jacksonville Jaguars had a chance to make the playoffs. This season, though, they're 2-9 and may not want to expose their starting quarterback to further injury when you take into account that their odds of qualifying are rather slim.

The Jags are currently a five-point favorite against the Houston Texans, and a win would keep their playoff hopes alive. Given that Lawrence gives them the best chance to win, they'll try to do whatever's possible to ensure he returns.

The bottom line is that Trevor Lawrence is making strides and could potentially suit up in Week 13. That said, he'll need to keep improving before it can be safely assumed that he can play.

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