Trevor Lawrence is on track to play this weekend, but the Jacksonville Jaguars could acquire another big asset on Sunday.
The Jags have returned wide receiver Christian Kirk to the active roster after he returned to practice this week.
Kirk is on injured reserve and has missed the past four games after suffering a groin injury in the first quarter on Dec. 4.
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Jacksonville Jaguars No. 13 Christian Kirk celebrates a reception during the second quarter of a game against the Houston Texans on November 26, 2023 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. (Carmen Mandert/Getty Images)
There's no guarantee Kirk will play, but it's certainly a step in the right direction.
Kirk was Lawrence's top target last season as they chased an AFC South title. Even with the addition of Calvin Ridley this season, that was still not the case.
Through 11 games (before Kirk's injury) Kirk had 82 targets and Ridley had 76 targets.
Kirk had the best season of his career last year, his first with the Jags. He set career highs with 84 receptions, 1,108 yards, and eight touchdowns. He was on pace to gain more receptions and yards when he was injured.
Jacksonville is definitely missing Kirk, averaging 18.0 points per game without him. (They also scored 26 points last week without Lawrence under center.) Prior to that, they averaged 23.8 points.
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence, 16, of Jacksonville during the game between the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on January 7, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida. -Celebrating a touchdown with Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk, 13. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire, Getty Images)
The Jaguars need a victory over the Tennessee Titans to win the AFC South for the second straight season. They could still make the playoffs even with a loss, but Pittsburgh and Denver would have to lose to reach the postseason as the No. 7 seed in the AFC.
NFL Network reported Saturday that Lawrence is “pushing” to play Sunday because he is not at risk of further injury. Even more important is pain management. He missed his first career game last week.
If Lawrence and Kirk are both active and that appears to be going to plan, the Jags' pursuit of back-to-back division titles looks much more achievable.
Christian Kirk, No. 13, of the Jacksonville Jaguars scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter of a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 13, 2022. (Jason Hanna/Getty Images)
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This will be the first time the Jags have made the playoffs in two consecutive seasons since 1996-1999, when they made the playoffs in four consecutive seasons.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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