Trevor Lawrence to IR: Jaguars’ Season Takes a Devastating Turn
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Jaguars’ season just took a massive hit, and it’s one that fans feared might be coming. On Wednesday, the team officially placed their star quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, on injured reserve, a move that likely signals the end of his 2024 campaign. For a team already struggling at 2-10, this news feels like the final nail in the coffin.
Lawrence, who had been battling a sprained AC joint in his left (non-throwing) shoulder, suffered a concussion during the Jaguars’ 23-20 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday. The injury occurred late in the first half when Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair delivered a hit to Lawrence’s head as he slid at the end of a 6-yard scramble. The hit not only sidelined Lawrence but also earned Al-Shaair a three-game suspension.
Unfortunately, this concussion is just the latest in a string of injuries for Lawrence this season. Since Week 6 of the 2023 season, the quarterback has dealt with six injuries, including another concussion, two shoulder injuries, a knee injury, and an ankle injury. Despite his resilience—he missed only one game last season—this year has been a different story. Lawrence has already missed two games this season, and now, with his placement on IR, he’ll be out for at least four more. With only five games left on the schedule, it’s almost certain that his fourth NFL season is over.
What’s Next for Lawrence?
With his season likely done, Lawrence could use this time to address his lingering shoulder issue. There’s speculation that he might undergo corrective surgery on his non-throwing shoulder once he recovers from the concussion. This could be a silver lining for the Jaguars, as it would allow their franchise quarterback to return fully healthy for the 2025 season.
Lawrence initially injured his left shoulder during the Jaguars’ game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Nov. 3. Despite the injury, he didn’t miss a snap and nearly led the team to a comeback victory, only to throw a heartbreaking end-zone interception with 1:38 remaining. He missed the next two games but returned to practice on Nov. 25, determined to get back on the field. However, his return against the Texans was short-lived, as he completed just 4 of 10 passes for 41 yards with an interception before the concussion forced him out of the game.
Mac Jones Steps In
With Lawrence sidelined, the Jaguars will turn to Mac Jones as their starting quarterback. Jones, who threw for 235 yards and two fourth-quarter touchdowns in relief of Lawrence on Sunday, has already started two games this season. However, those starts didn’t inspire much confidence. The Jaguars managed just 313 combined yards and scored only 13 points in losses to Minnesota and Detroit during Jones’ previous starts.
Backing up Jones will be C.J. Beathard, while the team also added journeyman John Wolford to the practice squad on Tuesday. It’s clear the Jaguars are scrambling to piece together a functional offense for the remainder of the season.
Lawrence’s 2024 Season in Numbers
Before his injury, Lawrence had thrown for 2,045 yards and 11 touchdowns with seven interceptions, completing 60.6% of his passes in 10 games. While those numbers might not jump off the page, they reflect the challenges he faced in a season marred by injuries. In June, Lawrence signed a five-year contract extension worth $265 million, including a $37.5 million signing bonus and $142 million fully guaranteed. The Jaguars are undoubtedly hoping their investment will pay off in the long term, even if this season has been a disappointment.
Help on the Way?
To fill Lawrence’s spot on the roster, the Jaguars signed veteran receiver Josh Reynolds off waivers. Reynolds, who was waived by the Denver Broncos on Tuesday, brings experience to a depleted receiving corps. The 29-year-old has 232 catches for 3,116 yards and 20 touchdowns in eight seasons with four teams. His addition is much-needed, as the Jaguars have lost starters Christian Kirk (broken collarbone) and Gabe Davis (knee) for the season since Oct. 27.
Key Takeaways
- Trevor Lawrence has been placed on injured reserve, likely ending his season.
- Lawrence has dealt with six injuries since Week 6 of the 2023 season.
- Mac Jones will take over as the Jaguars’ starting quarterback.
- The Jaguars signed veteran receiver Josh Reynolds to bolster their depleted receiving corps.
For Jaguars fans, this season has been a rollercoaster of emotions, and the loss of Trevor Lawrence feels like the ultimate gut punch. While the team will look to regroup and finish the season strong, all eyes will be on Lawrence’s recovery and what the future holds for Jacksonville’s franchise quarterback.
Originally Written by: Michael DiRocco
