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Michael DiRocco, ESPN Staff Writer
Editor’s note: This story was originally published Dec. 1, following Jacksonville’s loss to Houston. On Wednesday, the Jaguars announced they placed Trevor Lawrence on injured reserve.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Jaguars‘ placed QB Trevor Lawrence on injured reserve Wednesday, likely ending his season.
Lawrence sustained a concussion Sunday on a tackle by Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair — which the quarterback’s teammates described as a “dirty hit.” He was less than halfway into his return to action after missing two games with a left sprained AC joint.
With the IR designation, it’s likely the franchise quarterback’s season is over early after signing a five-year, $275 million contract in the offseason.
The Jaguars are 2-10 and with the Broncos win on “Monday Night Football,” Jacksonville is eliminated from playoff contention.
Lawrence’s concussion is the latest setback in a disappointing 2024. The season began with playoff expectations after owner Shad Khan said this was the best Jaguars team ever assembled. But nothing has gone to plan.
The team has been riddled with injuries, the offense has regressed, and the Jaguars entered Sunday with the worst defense in the league. Coach Doug Pederson and general manager Trent Baalke also face uncertain futures.
Here is an look at Lawrence’s status:
Why was Lawrence placed on injured reserve?
Al-Shaair hit Lawrence in the head after the quarterback slid at the end of a 6-yard scramble late in the first half, and Lawrence’s helmet hit the turf hard as he was knocked backward. Jaguars tight end Evan Engram retaliated against Al-Shaair, and that sparked the first of two fights between the teams. By the time the scrum cleared, officials ejected Al-Shaair for an illegal hit to the quarterback’s head and neck area and assessed Engram a personal foul penalty.
The brawl happened a few yards away from Lawrence, who was down on his back with his arms in what appeared to be the fencing posture — an involuntary position that occurs after a brain injury. Lawrence was on the field for several minutes being tended to by medical staff before eventually being taken off on a cart — he rode in front sitting up. The team then ruled him out for the rest of the game because of a concussion.
Pederson confirmed earlier this week that Lawrence was in concussion protocol and that he was “going to be fine.” Pederson said the status of Lawrence’s sprained left AC joint sustained vs. the Eagles in Week 9 would factor into their decision on whether to shut Lawrence down, but added that injury did not get aggravated by the hit.
In a similar situation, Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered a concussion earlier this season in which he displayed the fencing posture. He was also placed on IR and was out for five weeks. Tagovailoa had a history of three previous concussions.
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Schefter: Trevor Lawrence to IR, season likely over
Adam Schefter reports on Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence being moved to injured reserve.
Does this end Lawrence’s season?
Anyone placed on IR has to miss at least four games. The Jaguars have five remaining — two against Tennessee, the New York Jets, Las Vegas and Indianapolis — so Lawrence technically could return for the final game of the season, but that’s unlikely. Especially if he does opt for surgery on his left shoulder, which is something he said last week that he wouldn’t rule out.
Is this Lawrence’s first concussion?
It’s his second diagnosed concussion with the Jaguars and third known diagnosed concussion dating back to his three-year career at Clemson.
Lawrence suffered a concussion in the Jaguars’ Week 15 loss to Baltimore last December but started the Jaguars’ next game against Tampa Bay. Lawrence also suffered a concussion against Syracuse during his freshman season at Clemson (2018) but started the following week against Wake Forest.
Will Mac Jones continue to start at QB?
Yes. The Jaguars really don’t have much choice. The team re-signed C.J. Beathard on Nov. 6, three days after Lawrence injured his nonthrowing shoulder against Philadelphia, as additional QB depth, and he was Jones’ backup against Minnesota and Detroit.
Beathard, who had been Lawrence’s backup from 2021 to 2023, was the emergency quarterback Sunday and was eligible to play against the Texans had Jones gotten hurt.
Jones struggled in his two starts while Lawrence was out, throwing for a combined 249 yards and no touchdowns with three interceptions and leading the Jaguars to a combined 13 points in losses to Minnesota and Detroit. Though, he had his best game of the season against the Texans on Sunday, throwing for 235 yards and two touchdowns after Lawrence left.
Jones, the No. 15 overall pick in 2021, was traded to the Jaguars by the Patriots this offseason. This season was the last remaining on his rookie contract. He will be playing for a job, whether in Jacksonville or elsewhere, in Lawrence’s absence.
To add depth, the Jaguars signed journeyman John Wolford to the practice squad on Tuesday.
What are the Jaguars’ goals for the rest of the season?
There’s a chance to evaluate some younger players, such as receiver Parker Washington, defensive tackle Maason Smith, defensive tackle Jordan Jefferson, cornerback Jarrian Jones, and cornerback De’Antre Prince, to see where they fit in going forward.
For Jones, it’s a chance to audition for a starting job elsewhere. Perform well in the final five games and he could have multiple options.
Engram hopes the final games are about self-respect and remaining committed.
“How we finish probably won’t erase the feeling we have of the season, but [for] the pride of this franchise, the pride of the team, it’s definitely worth going to finish strong and going to get some wins and fighting for that,” he said.
