Trevor Lawrence is set to sit out his inaugural NFL game as the Jacksonville Jaguars announce his absence from Sunday’s matchup against the Carolina Panthers due to a shoulder injury sustained in Week 16. Having been sidelined from practice throughout the week, Lawrence’s starting position will be filled by backup C.J. Beathard, marking his first start since Week 17, 2020, when he played for the San Francisco 49ers.
This setback adds to Lawrence’s season-long battle with various injuries, including a high ankle sprain in Week 13 and a stint in concussion protocol following Week 15. Despite persistently taking the field in the face of adversity, Lawrence’s latest injury forces him to miss this critical game.
Struggling in recent weeks while playing through pain, Lawrence’s performance in Weeks 14-16 witnessed a completion rate of 57.4%, an average of 6.0 yards per attempt, five touchdowns, five interceptions, and a passer rating of 71.5. The Jaguars, in tandem with Lawrence’s misfortunes, endured a four-game losing streak.
Stepping into the breach, C.J. Beathard aims to guide the team to victory. Having substituted for Lawrence in two previous games within the past four weeks, Beathard, in the losses, completed 20 of 25 passes for 157 yards, including a touchdown pass. Throughout his career, the 30-year-old quarterback has accumulated a 2-10 record with the San Francisco 49ers.
With Beathard at the helm, the Jaguars face the challenge of revitalizing their running game, which has struggled in recent outings, accumulating less than 90 rushing yards in each of the last five contests. During the team’s four-game losing streak, Travis Etienne has averaged 30.8 rush yards per game.
Despite the recent downturn, the Jaguars maintain their position atop the AFC South, holding crucial head-to-head tiebreakers over Houston and Indianapolis. Securing victories against the Panthers and Titans in the closing stretch of the season would solidify Jacksonville’s divisional title for the second consecutive year.
