Linebacker Devin White didn’t play last week and the reasons for his absence from the Buccaneers lineup were a talking point all week, but he’s back on the field this Sunday and the Bucs were happy to have him in the first quarter against the Jaguars.
White picked off a Trevor Lawrence pass to end Jacksonville’s first possession and returned the ball near midfield. The Buccaneers were able to make that play pay off in a major way.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield hit wide receiver Mike Evans for a three-yard touchdown with just under 13 minutes to play in the second quarter and the Bucs lead 10-0 as a result.
Evans has three catches for 27 yards and Mayfield is 10-of-12 for 97 yards as the Bucs work to maintain sole control of first place in the NFC South.
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence is playing for the Jaguars on Sunday, but he’ll be missing one of his top targets.
The Jaguars announced on Saturday that Lawrence cleared the concussion protocol and he is officially active in Tampa. Lawrence was injured last Sunday night in a loss to the Ravens and he returned to practice late in the week.
Wide receiver Zay Jones will not be joining him in the lineup. He is inactive due to a hamstring injury and the Jags were already missing Christian Kirk so they are thin at wideout as they try to take another step toward an AFC South title.
Cornerback Gregory Junior, linebacker Yasir Abdullah, offensive lineman Chandler Brewer, and defensive tackle Angelo Blackson are also inactive.
Quarterback John Wolford, linebacker J.J. Russell, defensive tackle Deadrin Senat, linebacker Markees Watts, and offensive lineman Brandon Walton are inactive for the Buccaneers.
It looks like Trevor Lawrence will keep his starting streak.
Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, Lawrence has cleared concussion protocol and will travel to Tampa with the Jaguars to play the Buccaneers on Sunday.
Head coach Doug Pederson said on Friday that he thought the odds of Lawrence clearing concussion protocol were “better” than a coin flip. The quarterback is officially listed as questionable.
Lawrence has not missed a start since the Jaguars selected him at No. 1 overall in the 2021 draft. In 14 games this season, he’s completed 66 percent of his passes for 3,525 yards with 18 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He’s also rushed for 300 yards with four TDs.
C.J. Beathard was in line to make his first start since 2020 if Lawrence had not been cleared.
After losing their last three games, the Jaguars could surely use a victory over the Bucs to keep pace with the Texans and Colts in the AFC South. Jacksonville will play Carolina at home and Tennessee on the road to finish the season.
The Jaguars got quarterback Trevor Lawrence back at practice Friday and they hope to have him in the lineup on Sunday as well.
Lawrence missed the first two days of practice this week, but his recovery from a concussion has progressed to the point that he was able to get on the field. Lawrence, who is also listed with an ankle injury, will need to clear the concussion protocol before the team travels to Tampa on Saturday and he’s officially considered questionable.
If Lawrence does not make the trip, C.J. Beathard will start at quarterback.
Wide receiver Zay Jones (knee, hamstring), cornerback Christian Braswell (hamstring), cornerback Tyson Campbell (quad), safety Andre Cisco (groin), and tight end Brenton Strange (foot) join Lawrence with questionable tags.
Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s bid to return from a concussion will move forward on Friday.
Head coach Doug Pederson said at his press conference that Lawrence will practice with the team. Lawrence did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday and Pederson said that the quarterback will do as much as he can “tolerate” during the final workout ahead of Sunday’s game in Tampa.
Lawrence remains in the concussion protocol and Pederson said he thinks the odds of him clearing it are “better” than a coin flip. That will have to happen before the Jaguars travel to Tampa on Saturday in order for Lawrence to play.
If he does not get the green light, C.J. Beathard will run the offense for the Jags as they try to help their chances of winning the AFC South for the second straight season.
