Hearts sank in Duval County in Florida on Monday Night Football when Trevor Lawrence went down in agony.
The Jacksonville Jaguars’ franchise quarterback, playing in their first MNF game in more than a decade, threw his helmet in frustration and then limped off with help into the tunnel. He never returned, and his Jaguars fell 34-31 to the Cincinnati Bengals in a critical AFC-playoff-implications-ladened battle.
What Injury Did Trevor Lawrence Sustain?
The third-year passer first got bent over backward awkwardly and got his right foot caught below him. Then, his teammate Walker Little accidentally stepped on that same foot while pass-protecting on the play.
Many fans across the nation, let alone the fans inside EverBank Stadium, feared the worst … that T-Law suffered a break or a tear. But optimism surfaced.
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Lawrence only suffered a high ankle sprain. There were even reports from the ESPN broadcast postgame that Lawrence was in high spirits in the locker room despite not finishing the game.
With no break or fracture, will this mean Lawrence will line up behind center for the Jaguars and Cleveland Browns’ game?
Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars Provide Update
Lawrence has been listed as a game-time decision, Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson addressed to reporters on Friday.
“He’s feeling good, we’ll see,” Pederson said. “He moved around a little bit yesterday, we’ll see how he does today. Kind of base it on medical staff, how Trevor feels, and if he can go or not.”
Lawrence, meanwhile, addressed reporters two days earlier about his ailment, and he was in a positive mood. Part of it was how he was immediately treated.
“We have an amazing medical staff that takes care of us in every way that you can imagine. Anything that we need, they’re always there,” Lawrence told reporters on Wednesday. “They work pretty much around the clock to take care of us. We got one of the best, if not the best, in the league.”
He also addressed one more elephant in the room: Jacksonville being criticized for not using a medical cart to carry Lawrence off the field. Turns out that was his decision.
“So, I’ve heard what [people have been saying] and all the stuff that’s been going on,” Lawrence said. “Yeah, we talked about getting a cart, and I was gonna get a cart. Then, I’m standing there, I’m already at the sideline at that point, and the tunnel’s right there.
“I just wanted to get off the field and get out of there,” he said. “I didn’t know what was going on with my ankle and I felt like I could get off [the field]. I was like, ‘Hey, you’re good. Just don’t bring it out, I’m going in.'”
Late Saturday night, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Jaguars are planning for Trevor Lawrence to start Sunday vs. the Browns, but need to work him out in pregame warmups before making a final decision.
Who Will Jacksonville Turn to if Lawrence Isn’t Cleared?
While Lawrence is healthier than originally expected, he’s still not officially cleared ahead of the Browns game.
C.J. Beathard took over in his absence on Monday Night Football. As a precaution, though, Jacksonville made a QB move. They lured in Nathan Rourke via the practice squad on Friday per the team.
By elevating Rourke, Jacksonville has an emergency No. 2 option in the event Lawrence can’t line up behind center. That will also mean the veteran Beathard will take over for T-Law if he isn’t ready.
Beathard completed nine of his 10 passes for 63 yards in taking over for Lawrence. But again, Jacksonville fell to 8-4 by losing to Cincy in overtime.
Now, they’re involved in a crucial game involving a playoff push with a 7-5 Browns team — a team aiming to redeem itself from a 36-19 letdown last Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams.
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