Trevor Lawrence Eyes Return to the Field, But Surgery Still on the Table
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Jaguars’ star quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, is facing a tough decision as he battles a sprained left shoulder. While surgery remains a possibility, Lawrence is laser-focused on getting back on the field as soon as possible. And if all goes well, fans might see him back in action this Sunday against the Houston Texans at EverBank Stadium.
“I think [the sprained AC joint] has been a pretty difficult thing to gauge, honestly, of what’s the best path forward,” Lawrence said during a press conference on Wednesday. “[Surgery is] definitely something that I’m considering and not off the table at all. It’s something that we’re going to have to just [approach] truly day by day, week by week.”
Lawrence’s determination to return to the field is clear. “Hopefully I’m able to get back out there this week or as soon as possible, and then it’s going to be just every week kind of evaluating it, seeing where it’s at,” he added. “Obviously up until this point I’ve been doing everything I can to avoid that and want to be back out there with my guys and finish the season. So that’s my goal.”
Lawrence’s Injury Timeline
The injury occurred during the Jaguars’ November 3rd matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. Despite suffering the sprain in the first half, Lawrence didn’t miss a single snap. In fact, he nearly orchestrated a dramatic comeback before throwing a heartbreaking interception in the end zone with just 1:38 left on the clock. The Jaguars ultimately fell short in that game.
Since then, Lawrence has missed two games, and the Jaguars’ offense has struggled in his absence. With backup quarterback Mac Jones under center, Jacksonville managed just 313 combined yards and a mere 13 points in back-to-back losses to the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions. The team’s playoff hopes are slipping, and Lawrence’s return could be the spark they desperately need.
Signs of Progress
Lawrence returned to practice on Monday for the first time since November 8th, and head coach Doug Pederson shared some encouraging news on Wednesday. “Obviously I’m not going to commit, but it was a good start to the week,” Pederson said, noting that Lawrence’s shoulder responded well to the initial workload.
During Wednesday’s practice, Lawrence was expected to take the majority of first-team reps, a positive sign that he could be ready to suit up against the Texans. However, the quarterback is taking a cautious approach, wanting to ensure he’s fully prepared before making his case to play.
“I’m preparing to play, and I’m preparing like I normally would to play a full game and to go so that if that happens, or when that happens, I’m ready to go,” Lawrence explained. “But also, if that’s not going to happen, you want to make sure that if Mac’s going to play, he gets some reps and is prepared as well.”
What’s Next for Lawrence and the Jaguars?
Lawrence’s stats this season reflect his importance to the team. He’s completed 61.3% of his passes for 2,004 yards, throwing 11 touchdowns against six interceptions. While those numbers may not jump off the page, his leadership and ability to make plays in critical moments are qualities the Jaguars can’t afford to lose.
As the week progresses, Lawrence and the Jaguars’ medical staff will continue to monitor his shoulder. “I think there’s a lot of things to consider, but definitely I’m going to factor in every day and kind of see how I feel and obviously talk to our staff and see how it’s progressing,” Lawrence said. “But I feel the best I felt in the past few weeks.”
Key Takeaways
- Trevor Lawrence is considering surgery for his sprained left shoulder but hopes to return to the field soon.
- The injury occurred on November 3rd during a game against the Eagles, but Lawrence hasn’t played since November 8th.
- Backup quarterback Mac Jones has struggled in Lawrence’s absence, with the Jaguars scoring just 13 points in two games.
- Lawrence returned to practice this week and is preparing as if he’ll play Sunday against the Texans.
For Jaguars fans, the hope is that Lawrence’s return can reignite the team’s offense and keep their season alive. But with surgery still on the table, the situation remains fluid. All eyes will be on Jacksonville as the week unfolds.
Originally Written by: Michael DiRocco
