There is growing concern in Jacksonville.
Star quarterback Trevor Lawrence injured his non-throwing shoulder in Week 9 and is unlikely to play Sunday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
As the Jaguars' season accelerates, Rapoport wrote on Thursday. Lawrence “continues”[ing] Weigh yourself after receiving treatment[ing] Choices for the future. ”
In a second post a few minutes later: confirmed by an insider Lawrence: “Think about it.”[ing] some options, [both] “Soon, in the future,” he said, denying that surgery had already been decided.
But if he chooses not to play through the injury in an increasingly meaningless game for the 2-7 Jaguars, perhaps surgery remains an option.
The former No. 1 overall pick was sturdy and dependable early in his career, appearing in every regular-season contest during his first two seasons in the league.
Last season, Lawrence played in all but one game even as injuries began to mount – a knee injury in Week 6, a high ankle sprain in Week 14 and a concussion in Week 15.
It's unclear how serious the shoulder injury Lawrence suffered last Sunday against the Eagles is, but the fact that surgery is being considered speaks volumes.
The same goes for the Jaguars' acquisition of quarterback CJ Beathard.
The 30-year-old Iowa native served as Lawrence's backup from 2021 to 2023, but was released before the 2024 season.
Beathard briefly joined the Miami Dolphins' practice squad prior to Week 8 before the Jaguars signed him to the 53-man roster on Wednesday.
“Trevor is feeling some pain, but that gives us peace of mind,” head coach Doug Pederson said of the deal. “We now have another veteran quarterback on our roster.”
Beathard is expected to back up Jaguars second-string quarterback Mac Jones when the Jaguars host the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
