Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence was carted off the field after a violent hit during the game against the Houston Texans. The hit, delivered by linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, prompted a brawl on the sidelines and a secondary scuffle.
Lawrence, who was back in the starting lineup after missing two games with a shoulder injury, was scrambling left on a play in the second quarter when he was hit by Al-Shaair. The hit left Lawrence on the ground for several minutes, displaying signs of a potential traumatic brain injury.
Teammates came to Lawrence's defense, with defensive end Josh Hines-Allen and tight end Evan Engram both condemning the hit as unnecessary and dirty. Lawrence was eventually helped to his feet and carted off the field. He was quickly ruled out with a concussion but was not transported to a hospital for further tests.
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans called the hit 'unfortunate' and emphasized the need for smarter play when a quarterback is going down. Al-Shaair was ejected from the game for the illegal hit on the quarterback, while Jaguars rookie cornerback Jarrian Jones was also ejected for throwing a punch during the ensuing melee.
Fans reacted strongly to the incident, with one throwing a water bottle at a Texans player, resulting in their ejection from the stadium. Despite the chaos, both teams were eventually brought under control, and play resumed.
Backup quarterback Mac Jones replaced Lawrence and led the Jaguars to a rally in the fourth quarter, but they ultimately fell short in a 23-20 loss to the Texans. Jaguars coach Doug Pederson declined to speculate on Lawrence's status moving forward, given the team's elimination from playoff contention.
Lawrence, the top pick in the 2021 draft, has faced multiple injuries throughout his rookie season, showcasing his toughness and resilience. Teammates and coaches expressed support for Lawrence, emphasizing their solidarity and prayers for his recovery.
Despite the setback, Lawrence remains a key figure for the Jaguars, and his health will be closely monitored as he recovers from the concussion sustained during the game.
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