The Jacksonville Jaguars’ offense got a big boost heading into Sunday’s matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reporting that Trevor Lawrence has cleared concussion protocol.
As a result, the star quarterback will travel with the team and likely be available to play in the Jaguars’ Week 16 matchup, which could have serious ramifications on 8-6 Jacksnoville’s playoff hopes.
The 24-year-old Lawrence suffered the injury in the third quarter of the Jaguars’ Week 15 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. He finished the game before reporting concussion-like symptoms, which landed him in the concussion protocol following the Sunday Night Football thriller.
After missing practice on Wednesday or Thursday, Lawrence returned in a limited capacity on Friday and was labeled “questionable” heading into Sunday’s game. Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said Friday that Lawrence traveling with the team to Tampa Bay depended on the quarterback being cleared by Saturday, which he was, according to Rapoport.
It seems that Lawrence’s streak of 48 consecutive starts will remain unbroken. If he cannot play on Sunday, backup quarterback C.J. Beathard would start in his place. However, Beathard is currently dealing with an injury to his non-throwing shoulder.
With Lawrence under center, the Jaguars’ playoff hopes received a much-needed shot in the arm.
