Trevor Lawrence is dealing with a shoulder injury and might not be available against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 10. Ahead of the game, the Jacksonville Jaguars signed a familiar face to their quarterback room as insurance in case No. 16 isn't good to go.
The team announced it signed Beathard off the Miami Dolphins' practice squad to the active roster ahead of Week 10. While Lawrence practiced Wednesday, albeit on a limited basis, it's uncertain if he'll suit up for the Vikings game. If he doesn't, Beathard will tentatively serve as the backup behind Mac Jones.
Lawrence got hurt in the Week 9 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Head coach Doug Pederson said that it was an upper-body injury. The fourth-year quarterback later clarified that it was his shoulder. He was limited in practice Wednesday but says he's doing what he can to suit up against Minnesota.
"I'm not going to put a day on it of when I'll, you know when a decision will be made, or not necessarily a timeline on that," Lawrence responded when asked if he'll play depending on how he feels the Friday before the game. "I think just want to be able to feel comfortable and feel like I can play my best and give everything I need to help our team win."
Lawrence continued, "So I think that's what the decision comes down to at the end of the day. So that's where my mind is, and what I'm thinking about, and what's best for the team, obviously, myself, too, but ultimately for the team, and what gives us the best shot to win on Sunday. So I think all those things play a factor for sure."
A third-round pick in the 2017 draft, Beathard spent his first four NFL seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. He signed with Jacksonville in 2022 and was its primary backup quarterback the past three years. The former Iowa Hawkeye had to compete for the No. 2 job when Jones landed with the Jags in the offseason.
The battle came to a halt when Beathard suffered a groin injury in the preseason. He was released before the regular season with an injury settlement. At the time, he was expected to miss four weeks, but teams need to wait the length of the injury plus three weeks to bring back a player who was released with a settlement.
The Dolphins signed Beathard to their practice squad ahead of Week 8. They needed depth after Tyler Huntley landed on Injured Reserve.
Ideally, Beathard won't play a snap for the Jaguars
It's not a given that Trevor Lawrence will sit out Week 10, but C.J. Beathard gives the Jacksonville Jaguars insurance in case he doesn't. Last year, Matt Barkley was pressed into action when C.J. Beathard temporarily left the game against the Carolina Panthers in Week 10.
The Jags would've been in a dire spot if Barkley had seen extended playing time. Fortunately, Beathard was able to return, but the last thing Jacksonville wants, or any team for that matter, is to run out of competent quarterbacks. That's why the Beathard signing makes sense.
If Lawrence isn't good to go, Mac Jones will start against the Vikes, and Beathard will serve as the backup.
For his part, Lawrence is thrilled to have Beathard back, pointing out that he fits nicely in the quarterback room.
"Yeah, great to have C.J. back. Obviously, that's, that's my buddy, known him, been here with me for most of my career, and it's nice to have him back in the building. I know he's excited. And our whole room is great. Honestly, all the guys, John Rhys, Mac, we all fit together pretty well. So it's been great. And then obviously adding him to that again, is a guy that I know and have experience with, and does a good job, and I think everybody fits in really seamlessly."
The bottom line is that the backup quarterback is just one injury away from seeing the field. The Jacksonville Jaguars know it, so they're bringing C.J. Beathard back in the fold ahead of Week 10.