Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence leaves 'MNF' game vs. Bengals with ankle injury

Trevor Lawrence left Monday's loss to the Cincinnati Bengals with what's being reported as an ankle sprain.

The Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback's right leg got bent awkwardly on a tackle late in the fourth quarter. He slammed his helmet to the turf immediately after the injury and was helped off the field by athletic trainers into the Jacksonville locker room.

Left tackle Walker Little inadvertently stepped on Lawrence's right ankle when he was pushed back into his quarterback by Bengals pass rusher Trey Hendrickson. Lawrence's leg remained pinned under his body as he fell to the turf, and his ankle bent in the wrong direction.

Lawrence was in pain as he limped gingerly down the tunnel with the help of an athletic trainer and what appears to be a police officer.

Lawrence reportedly has ankle sprain, pending further testing

The Jaguars initially listed Lawrence as questionable with an ankle injury. He did not return.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported postgame that the initial diagnosis was an ankle sprain and that Lawrence would undergo further testing. Head coach Doug Pederson told reporters he didn't have any updates to share postgame.

"We're still evaluating him," Pederson said. "He'll have more tests and things done here tonight and tomorrow. I'll probably have a better update for you tomorrow."

Per NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe, Lawrence was on crutches and wearing a walking boot after the game.

Backup C.J. Beathard took over at quarterback with the game tied at 28-28 late in the fourth quarter. Cincinnati won, 34-31, with a 48-yard field goal by Evan McPherson.

If significant, the injury projects to have an enormous impact on the AFC playoff race. The Jaguars entered Monday at 8-3 with a chance to take control of the No. 1 seed in the AFC with a win. Instead, they fell to 8-4, a game behind the 9-3 Miami Dolphins and Baltimore Ravens.

A Pro Bowler in his second NFL season last year, Lawrence is critical to Jacksonville's success. In Jacksonville's first 11 games, he completed 67.3% of his passes for 249.6 yards per game with 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He completed 22 of 29 passes for 258 yards with two touchdowns and no turnovers before leaving Monday's game. He also scored a rushing touchdown on a quarterback sneak.

The Jaguars face remaining games against the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers and Tennessee Titans.