Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence gets start in season finale vs. Titans despite shoulder injury
NASHVILLE – Trevor Lawrence will give it a go for the Jacksonville Jaguars today, ruled active shortly before kickoff against the Tennesee Titans, their final game of the regular season. Lawrence took the team's opening reps, starting the contest despite his right shoulder injury.
According to a report from NFL Media's James Palmer, Lawrence indicated to him that he was good to go.
"We're going to rip it," he said to Palmer in pre-game.
Trevor Lawrence told me he feels good. “We’re going to rip it,” he said. Lawrence doesn’t expect to limited at all today by his shoulder. He’s good to go with the division on the line.
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) January 7, 2024
Lawrence entered the week with a right throwing shoulder injury (AC sprain) suffered late in the team’s Week 16 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that cost him Week 17’s matchup against the Carolina Panthers. The third-year quarterback practiced on a limited basis each day this week, increasing in workload every day.
He was ruled questionable to play and did not suffer a setback, giving Jacksonville a decision to make with their season on the line.
Game status: Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence officially questionable to play Sunday vs. Titans
Lawrence appeared fine during pre-game warmups in Nashville, throwing with his injured shoulder, and seemingly performing all his duties as usual.
The team’s franchise quarterback has dealt with injuries this year that looked significant, but ultimately cost the QB just one game this year.
In Week 6 against the Colts, Lawrence injured his left knee and sported a brace every week until Week. In Week 13, Lawrence left the game due to a high ankle sprain, wearing an ankle brace throughout the week of practice. He played the next week against the Cleveland Browns.
The following week against the Baltimore Ravens, Lawrence entered the concussion protocol after taking a hit late in the contest. Still, he played the following week, practicing just once as he cleared concussion tests.
In 15 games, Lawrence has completed 65.5 percent of his passes for 3,736 yards, 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He ran the ball 67 times for 329 yards and four touchdowns.
Due to the significance of this week’s matchup, Lawrence’s playing status was magnified. If the Jaguars defeat the Titans, they’ll win the AFC South, punching their ticket to the playoffs as the No. 4 seed in the AFC.
A win will give Jacksonville back-to-back division titles for the second time in team history (1998-99).
It will mark the first time in team history that they’ve won back-to-back AFC South titles, and their third division title in this millennium.
Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Demetrius82.
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars' Trevor Lawrence starts vs. Titans with shoulder injury
