The Jacksonville Jaguars lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 9. Along the way, Trevor Lawrence got hurt. Apart from being on the brink of elimination from playoff contention, the Jags will also have to worry about the availability of their star quarterback against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 10.
Lawrence told the local media Wednesday that he's dealing with soreness but is doing what he can to suit up in Week 10.
"That's the goal, Lawrence said when asked if he'll be available Sunday. "I'm doing everything I can to be out there. Like it's in the past, and I've gotten banged up in the past. So just try to do everything I can during the week to prepare myself to play Sunday and just put as much time as possible into that and getting healthy. So that's, that's the way my mind is right now."
Head coach Doug Pederson also had an exchange with the press corps and said that it's too early to tell if Lawrence will play. The fourth-year quarterback was a limited participant in practice.
Wednesday Injury Report pic.twitter.com/OhQgCObqtz
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) November 6, 2024
Lawrence dealt with a series of injuries in the second half of the 2023 season that hindered his performance. In the end, he only missed one game, but you could tell that he wasn't at strength. In fact, No. 16 told the media earlier this year that it wasn't until March that he felt 100 percent.
This season, Lawrence has completed 61.3 percent of his throws for 2,004 yards with 11 touchdowns and six interceptions. Although he got off to a rough start and even played a role in the team's four-game losing streak, the former Clemson Tiger has played much better in recent weeks. Nevertheless, his injury should most definitely be a reason for concern.
Here's Lawrence's full exchange with the local media.
Mac Jones will start for the Jaguars if Trevor Lawrence can play vs. the Vikings
The Jacksonville Jaguars gave a five-year deal worth $275 million in the offseason because they believe he's the long-term answer behind center. On the other hand, they also know that he's one injury away from missing time, so the team's brass also traded for Mac Jones.
A first-round pick in 2021, Jones was a three-year starter for the New England Patriots. He made the Pro Bowl and led his team to the playoffs as a rookie but he regressed and was even benched the past two years.
Having seen enough of him, the Pats traded Jones to the Jags in exchange for a sixth-round pick. Right off the bat, he looked re-energized, and it showed on the football field. In three preseason games, the Florida native completed 73.1 percent of his throws for 421 yards with three touchdowns.
Before the season, the Jaguars released C.J. Beathard, paving the way for Jones to be the top backup behind Lawrence. Speaking of Beathard, Jacksonville signed him off the Dolphins practice squad as insurance.
Coach Doug Pederson told reporters that QB Trevor Lawrence is dealing with some "upper body" soreness, and Beathard can be insurance for that. Mac Jones is still the backup https://t.co/y2HXFCLAM9
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 6, 2024
The bottom line is that the Jacksonville Jaguars will want Trevor Lawrence to suit up against the Eagles but might want to hold him out if he's not a full-go. If he isn't, they traded for Mac Jones for situations like this.