The Jacksonville Jaguars received encouraging news on Tuesday as head coach Doug Pederson announced that quarterback Trevor Lawrence is on track to return to action this Sunday against the Houston Texans. Lawrence, who has missed the last two games with a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder, had a strong week of practice and is expected to play without limitations if he’s cleared.
“Nothing held back,” Pederson said of Lawrence’s anticipated workload. “You don’t want your quarterback to get hit anyway, but yeah, you just got to be conscious of moving around or too many design runs or anything like that. But if he’s cleared to play, we go play and can’t worry about getting hit or taking a shot or anything like that.”
Jaguars Struggled in Lawrence’s Absence
Lawrence’s return comes at a crucial time for the Jaguars, who have struggled mightily in his absence. With backup quarterback Mac Jones under center, Jacksonville managed just a combined 313 yards of total offense and scored only 13 points in losses to the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions.
Before his injury, Lawrence had been enjoying a solid sophomore campaign, completing 61.3% of his passes for 2,004 yards and 11 touchdowns against six interceptions. His presence on the field gives the Jaguars’ offense a much-needed boost as they try to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.
Lawrence Considering Surgery After Season
While Lawrence is eager to return to action, he admitted on Wednesday that he hasn’t ruled out the possibility of undergoing surgery on his injured shoulder after the season.
“I think (the sprained AC joint) has been a pretty difficult thing to gauge, honestly, of what’s the best path forward. (Surgery is) definitely something that I’m considering and not off the table at all. It’s something that we’re going to have to just [approach] truly day by day, week by week.”
– Trevor Lawrence on potentially having shoulder surgery
For now, though, Lawrence’s focus is on helping his team get back in the win column against a struggling Texans squad. If he can recapture his pre-injury form, the Jaguars may still have a chance to make some noise in the crowded AFC playoff picture.
Key Matchups to Watch
As Lawrence prepares to face the Texans’ defense, here are a few key matchups to keep an eye on:
- Lawrence vs. Texans’ pass rush: Houston ranks near the bottom of the league in sacks, which could give Lawrence time to find his rhythm in the pocket.
- Jaguars’ running backs vs. Texans’ front seven: If Jacksonville can establish the run early, it will take some pressure off Lawrence and open up play-action passing opportunities.
- Jaguars’ receivers vs. Texans’ secondary: With Lawrence back under center, look for him to target his top playmakers in Christian Kirk and Zay Jones against a vulnerable Houston pass defense.
The stage is set for Trevor Lawrence’s triumphant return as the Jaguars aim to get back on track against the Texans. With a strong performance from their star quarterback, Jacksonville could take a significant step towards clawing their way back into postseason contention.
