JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Jaguars are contemplating the decision to bench quarterback Trevor Lawrence for the remainder of the season. This move seems wise, particularly as the Jaguars (2-10) have nearly been ruled out of playoff contention with their upcoming match against Tennessee (3-9) approaching.
Despite his eagerness to play, Lawrence is facing significant health concerns, having suffered his second concussion within a year and dealing with a likely surgery-requiring sprained left shoulder. It is crucial for general manager Trent Baalke and head coach Doug Pederson to prioritize Lawrence’s health over the player’s desire to be on the field. This decision should not be difficult, especially considering the franchise’s history of drafting Lawrence as the first overall pick in 2021.
“It is a tough situation,” said Pederson following a narrow 23-20 loss against Houston. “You still want to send a positive, good message to your team that we’re still fighting to the end. We still have five games on the schedule. We’ll see, but we need to be wise for his long-term health as well.”
The team’s primary focus should be to get Lawrence back to full health, which is just as critical as future personnel decisions regarding Baalke and/or Pederson’s return in 2025. Lawrence was carted off the field after an aggressive tackle from Houston’s Azeez Al-Shaair. The late hit resulted in chaos on the sidelines, including a fight that broke out moments later.
Lawrence exhibited concerning symptoms following the hit, displaying the “fencing response” common in cases of traumatic brain injury, where the fists clench as the body goes stiff. He remained on the ground for several minutes as a brawl unfolded close by before being diagnosed with a concussion. This latest incident adds to a challenging season for Lawrence, who has previously missed time due to a sprained right shoulder and dealt with additional injuries, including a left knee sprain in October, a right ankle sprain in early December, and another concussion two weeks prior.
Although Lawrence bravely battled through these setbacks earlier in the season when the team was still in playoff contention, that is no longer the case. “If he feels he can come out and make the team better and he really wants to do that, then he should be allowed to do it,” veteran linebacker Foye Oluokun expressed on Monday.
Having signed a significant five-year, $275 million contract in June, Lawrence’s future with the team is secure. However, he must recover fully to perform effectively. Surgery on his shoulder could be an essential step on his path to recovery. “I’d love to see him play again (this season), but it’s a decision for them to make,” noted left tackle Walker Little.
On the bright side, the Jaguars found some offensive rhythm in the fourth quarter, led by Mac Jones, who managed consecutive drives of 72 and 84 yards. These drives culminated in touchdown passes to Parker Washington and Brian Thomas Jr. before that, Jacksonville had struggled significantly, failing to score a touchdown in their previous 25 possessions.
Nevertheless, there are defensive concerns to address, as tight end Dalton Schultz from Houston managed to exploit the Jaguars’ defense, catching five passes for 61 yards, which included a touchdown early in the fourth quarter. This follows a pattern seen in previous games where tight ends have significantly impacted Miami’s performance against Jacksonville.
In players worth noting, Jaguars left tackle Walker Little displayed exceptional skills in one of his better professional performances after securing a three-year, $45 million contract extension. He successfully contained Houston’s renowned pass-rushing duo of Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter, who were unable to register a sack—a noteworthy feat as Anderson had not experienced this in five games and Hunter in three of eight.
Conversely, rookie kicker Cam Little’s two missed field goals have proven detrimental to the team’s chances. He missed a crucial 55-yarder in the fourth quarter against the Texans, a miss that cost the Jaguars three points that could have tied the game. Earlier, Little had enjoyed a streak of successful kicks.
Injury updates indicate cornerback Tyson Campbell (thigh) and safety Darnell Savage (ankle) should be fine, according to Pederson.
As the season progresses, Jacksonville has only managed one win in its past ten games in Nashville. This sole victory occurred during Pederson’s inaugural season in 2022. The organization is now left waiting for owner Shad Khan to determine any potential changes as they move toward the 2025 season.