Jaguars vs. Browns: Containing Myles Garrett, other keys to victory in Week 14
• Trevor Lawrence could play through his ankle sprain
• He'll need to get the best possible protection
The Jacksonville Jaguars could have Trevor Lawrence for Week 14. The third-year quarterback returned to practice after suffering an ankle sprain on Monday Night Football. Having partaken in practice the past two days, he's questionable to play. However, he's trending toward suiting up against the Cleveland Browns.
While having Lawrence would be great, the Jags need to ensure he gets the best possible protection to avoid exposing him to further injury. The issue is that they may have a hard time doing so given that starting left tackle Walker Little is dealing with a hamstring injury.
Little has already been ruled out for the game, so the Jaguars will most likely move left guard Ezra Cleveland outside, and start veteran Tyler Shatley in his place. Head coach Doug Pederson told the local media Friday that Cleveland has taken reps at left tackle ahead of the game.
Having said that, Cleveland hasn't played tackle at the NFL, so he might go through a rough adjustment period Sunday, which isn't ideal when you take into account that he'll often line up against All-Pro defensive end and Defensive Player of the Year candidate Myles Garrett.
Regardless of who starts at left tackle * spoilers: It will be Cleveland * the Jaguars must contain Garrett if they want to ensure Trevor Lawrence has enough time to throw the ball, and more importantly, finish the game. With that in mind, here are three keys to victory in Week 14.
3. Contain Myles Garrett, protect Trevor Lawrence
There aren't many edge rushers better than outside linebacker Josh Allen in the NFL right now. Myles Garrett is one of them. In fact, he's having a better season than his Jaguars counterpart. Garrett has 0.5 sacks fewer than Allen but his pass rush win rate is the second-best in the league, only behind Micah Parsons.
Garrett had been dealing with a shoulder injury but he's got no restrictions and avoided an injury designation for Sunday. It doesn't matter if the Jaguars need to put an extra blocker on the left side, where the 2017 first-overall pick tends to line up. If they need to chip him every play, so be it. They cannot afford to let him get close to Trevor Lawrence if they want to get their offense going.