NFL

Jaguars QB Lawrence questionable to face Titans

By Sports Desk January 05, 2024

The status of Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence remains up in the air for the team's important regular-season finale against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.

Lawrence is recovering from a sprained right shoulder he sustained in Jacksonville's 30-12 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Dec. 24. The injury caused the former No. 1 overall draft pick to miss last Sunday's win over the Carolina Panthers and has limited him in practice this week.

Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson told reporters prior to Friday's practice that Lawrence could be a game-day decision for Sunday's contest, which if Jacksonville wins would give the Jags a second straight AFC South title and a No 4 seed for the conference playoffs. 

A loss to the Titans, however, could knock Jacksonville out of the postseason depending on the outcome of other games.

"It's day by day," Pederson said of Lawrence's status. "[Friday] will be a big day for him, tomorrow [as well]. He's progressing well.

"He's been plugged in and engaged all week mentally. Now is just the physical part."

C.J. Beathard would start at quarterback if Lawrence is not medically cleared. Beathard completed 17 of 24 passes for 178 yards without a turnover in last week's 26-0 victory over Carolina.

"If he's good to go, he's good to go," Pederson said of Lawrence. "He'll try to do everything he can to protect himself, but at the same time, if he's out there, he's rolling and we'll go play."

Pederson added that the team has yet to decide whether to activate wide receiver Christian Kirk from injured reserve for Sunday's game.

Kirk, who set career and team highs with 84 receptions, 1,108 receiving yards and eight touchdown catches in 2022, has missed the last four games with a groin injury he sustained against the Cincinnati Bengals on Dec. 4. Like Lawrence, he was a limited practice participant throughout the week.

Jacksonville enters the regular season's final weekend in a three-way tie with the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans for first place in the AFC South. The Jaguars would win any tie-breaking scenarios if the division's top two teams finish with identical records.

The Texans and Colts will meet in Indianapolis on Saturday, with the winner guaranteed at least a wild-card playoff berth.

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