JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jaguars are planning to have Trevor Lawrence back on the field this week, a much-needed boost for a team that has spiraled into one of the NFL’s worst.
Will that help Jacksonville shake off what has been a miserable 2024 season, one that feels headed for a massive overhaul at the finish unless something radical happens?
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After missing the last two games with an AC joint injury to his left shoulder, Lawrence is expected to return on Sunday against the Texans (7-5) at EverBank Stadium as the Jaguars try and put the brakes on a skid that has dragged across parts of two seasons.
Jacksonville (2-9) needs any type of positive news as it limps along in one of its worst seasons in franchise history. The Jaguars are just 3-14 since they briefly held the No. 1 overall seed in the AFC last year. The final slate of games this year are somewhat favorable for the Jaguars, with four of the final six against AFC South competition. The return of Lawrence to lead a banged-up offense that is already without receivers Christian Kirk and Gabe Davis for the rest of the year is a positive.
“Yeah, I mean, he’s had a good week. He’s obviously done some really good things this week. I would say as of right now, yes. He will play,” head coach Doug Pederson said. “We’ll get through today, Friday, Saturday, but he’s had a good week.”
The Jaguars got a taste of what an offense without Lawrence looks like in games against the Vikings and Lions. Backup Mac Jones and the Jaguars mustered all of 170 total yards against Detroit and 143 against Minnesota. Jacksonville endured the most lopsided defeat in franchise history against the Lions (52-6). The Vikings racked up nearly 500 yards of offense in a 12-7 win, but Jones had three turnovers in the final seven minutes. They have lost every statistical battle on the scoresheet with Lawrence out.
Pederson said players have returned from the bye week with a bit more juice after the latest off week in franchise history.
“I’ve seen the guys respond to the time away and come back a little focused and energized and excited about what’s ahead, and just the opportunity to play this weekend,” Pederson said.
Even if Lawrence has been up and down this year, there’s no denying that he gives Jacksonville its best chance at winning in what has become a lost season. Jacksonville has lost six of its nine games by five points or less and are in the mix for the No. 1 overall draft pick for the third time in five seasons.
Lawrence and Travon Walker were Jacksonville’s selections at No. 1 in 2021 and 2022 and they have both had their flashes. Walker has developed into Jacksonville’s top pass rusher this season and Lawrence has been solid but not spectacular. The dropoff from Lawrence to Jones is significant.
That’s why getting Lawrence back after he missed just the second and third games in his career is critical as the Jaguars hit the closing stretch of games. Pederson said Jacksonville’s game plan won’t change even with Lawrence not back at full strength.
“I mean, you don’t want your quarterback to get hit anyway. But yeah, I mean, you’ve just got to be conscious of moving around or too many designed runs or anything like that,” he said. “But hey, look, if he’s cleared to play, we go play. Can’t worry about getting hit or taking a shot or anything like that.”