When Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence exited Monday’s 34–31 overtime loss to the Bengals with an ankle injury, many Jacksonville fans understandably feared the worst.
However, Jaguars coach Doug Pederson indicated Tuesday that Lawrence could be back sooner rather than later.
Pederson told reporters that Lawrence has a high ankle sprain, and refused to rule his quarterback out for Jacksonville’s game against the Browns in Cleveland on Sunday. Additionally, Pederson told reporters the injury would not end Lawrence’s season.
Lawrence was relieved by backup C.J. Beathard on Monday after completing 22 of 29 passes for 258 yards and two touchdowns. Beathard completed nine of 10 passes for 63 yards, but couldn’t lead the Jaguars to victory.
#Jaguars coach Doug Pederson says QB Trevor Lawrence has “just” a high-ankle sprain, with all other tests coming back clean. Pederson wouldn’t put a timetable on Lawrence’s recovery, but didn’t rule him out for this week. And not season-ending.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 5, 2023
Jacksonville is 8–4 this season with a one-game lead over the Colts and Texans in the AFC South standings and would be the No. 4 seed in the AFC if the season ended today. Lawerence, on the heels of a breakout sophomore campaign, has thrown 14 touchdown passes against seven interceptions in 12 games in 2023.
