Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence sustained a right high ankle sprain during Monday night’s game against the Bengals, but according to coach Doug Pederson, there’s relief as no further damage was identified. Pederson disclosed on Tuesday that Lawrence’s condition would be assessed later in the week, refraining from setting a definitive timeline for his return.
“I won’t confine Trevor to a specific timetable,” Pederson stated on Tuesday afternoon. “We’ll monitor his progress over the next few days and see how he responds.”
Pederson expressed optimism that surgery might not be necessary for Lawrence’s ankle, contrasting it with the recent case of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett, who underwent surgery for a similar injury to expedite recovery.
“I haven’t had discussions with the medical team about that,” Pederson explained. “At this point, surgery doesn’t seem necessary, given the location of the injury in the ankle.”
Unfortunately, the outlook is less favorable for wide receiver Christian Kirk, who suffered a core muscle injury during Monday’s overtime match, and Pederson acknowledged surgery might be on the horizon.
Lawrence’s injury occurred late in the fourth quarter when left tackle Walker Little was pushed backward, causing him to step on Lawrence’s ankle. The quarterback, who had thrown for 258 yards and two touchdowns, left the field assisted by medical staff and required crutches and a walking boot.
C.J. Beathard took over for Lawrence, completing 9 of 10 passes for 63 yards. Beathard is poised to start against Cleveland on Sunday if Lawrence is unable to play. Despite Lawrence’s resilience in returning from prior injuries, Pederson emphasized the need for cautious evaluation.
Lawrence’s injury marks a potential setback for the Jaguars, compounded by Little’s left hamstring strain and uncertainty regarding his availability for the upcoming game. The team faces the possibility of confronting the league’s top-ranked total defense without key offensive starters Lawrence, Kirk, and potentially Little.
