Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence was taken out in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game against the Buccaneers with a shoulder injury.
Lawrence is called questionable to return. The Jags are down 30-6, however, and it seems likely that C.J. Beathard will be handling the quarterbacking duties for the rest of the game.
Beathard completed two straight passes to tight end Evan Engram after entering the game, but Engram lost a fumble on the second one to continue a miserable day in Tampa for the Jaguars. The turnover was the fourth of the day by the Jaguars and Lawrence was responsible for three of them.
He threw two interceptions in the first half and then lost a fumble on a sack by linebacker Yaya Diaby in the third quarter. He threw a touchdown to Calvin Ridley to get the Jaguars on the board, but that’s small consolation as the Jags head for their fourth straight loss.
UPDATE 6:36 p.m. ET: Lawrence has now been ruled out for the rest of the game.
It’s been all Buccaneers through 30 minutes of play in Tampa on Sunday.
Baker Mayfield has thrown two touchdowns to wide receiver Mike Evans, Trevor Lawrence has thrown a pair of interceptions and the Bucs are up 20-0 on the Jags at halftime.
Evans made a spectacular catch of a 22-yard bullet from Mayfield with 45 seconds left to play in the half to stretch Tampa’s lead to 20 points and the veteran wideout has six catches for 76 yards already. He is also up to 13 touchdown catches on the season, which leaves him one away from tying his career high and he might get there before the day is out if the Jags don’t get their act together.
Lawrence cleared the concussion protocol on Saturday, but his first half work may have some wondering if he’s 100 percent. He is 10-of-13 for 103 yards outside the interceptions, but those interceptions and the two sacks he’s taken have done a lot to get the Bucs to halftime with such a big lead. Bucs safety Antoine Winfield has continued his excellent season with one interception and one sack, and the Bucs defense will be able to tee off on Lawrence now that the Jaguars have to try to mount such a big comeback.
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.
