NFL QB injuries: Geno Smith won't start against 49ers; Trevor Lawrence, Derek Carr updates

NFL quarterback injuries have been a major storyline through the 2023 NFL season.

And at least four teams have questions surrounding their starting quarterback before Sunday’s slate of Week 14 games.

The Jacksonville Jaguars visit the Cleveland Browns, where both teams had decisions to make.

Derek Carr was pushing to play for the New Orleans Saints in their game against the Carolina Panthers.

And Geno Smith’s availability was in question for the Seattle Seahawks in a major NFC West matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.

Here’s what we know on the quarterback situations for the Jaguars, Browns, Saints and Seahawks before the games begin on Sunday:

Drew Lock to start over Geno Smith for the Seahawks against the 49ers?

Geno Smith injured his groin during Seahawks practice on Thursday, and did not practice on Friday, putting his status in doubt for Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers.

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said backup Drew Lock is "as ready as he can get" if he needs to start in place of Smith. And Lock will get the start over Smith, NFL Network reported before their 4 p.m. ET kickoff.

Seattle also signed quarterback Sean Mannion to the practice squad and elevated him to the active roster to be Lock's backup.

The Seahawks’ season is in the balance, sitting at 6-6 and coming off three straight losses to the Rams, 49ers and Cowboys.

Trevor Lawrence starts for the Jaguars against the Browns

Lawrence, the 2021 No. 1 pick for Jacksonville, was pushing to play despite an ugly scene where he was bent backwards on a play that caused his high ankle sprain.

And the Jaguars announced Lawrence will start, just before Sunday's 1 p.m. kickoff against the Browns.

NFL Network reports Lawrence’s "mobility and stability had improved enough by Thursday and Friday for him to be limited in practice, and he received a questionable designation heading into the weekend."

Lawrence is considered a game-time decision by the Jaguars, who are 8-4 in the AFC South with the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans not far behind, each at 7-5 entering Week 14.

Joe Flacco starts again for the Cleveland Browns

Joe Flacco, the former Super Bowl champion with the Baltimore Ravens, started for the second straight week for the Cleveland Browns.

Although Dorian Thompson-Robinson cleared concussion protocol this week, he will be the Browns backup, according to NFL Network.

The Browns also released quarterback P.J. Walker, and have starter Deshaun Watson out for the season due to shoulder surgery.

Flacco, 38, was 23 of 44 for 254 yards with two touchdowns and an interception in a loss against the Rams last week.

While the interception was costly, the Browns are still second in the AFC North with a 7-5 record and maintain the No. 5 playoff seed heading into Week 14.

Derek Carr starts for the New Orleans Saints

Derek Carr cleared concussion protocol on Friday, and the Saints starter is back in the lineup to play against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday despite other injuries.

Along with two concussions in a three-week span, NFL Network reports Carr also has a non-displaced rib cartilage fracture and an AC joint sprain in his shoulder.

Earlier this week, Carr told reporters: "Everyone has got a broken something, dealing with this or dealing with that. I got my treatment, I did my protocol stuff, but I also, most importantly, made sure that I did everything I need to do to accomplish my job."

The Saints are 5-7 and, on the outside looking in at the playoff mix, but face the lowly Panthers, who are the NFL’s worst team at 1-11.

If Carr cannot play, Jameis Winston is the Saints’ backup.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL QB injuries: Geno Smith, Trevor Lawrence, Derek Carr, updates