Week 15 was rough for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Not only did they lose their third game in a row in a sloppy loss to the Baltimore Ravens, but most of the teams they’re fighting for a playoff spot with won. Making matters worse is the health of quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
Following Sunday night’s loss, it was announced that Lawrence was in concussion protocol.
The news was reported by John Shipley of Jaguar Report on Twitter/X.
Pederson says QB Trevor Lawrence will enter concussion protocol. He was evaluated after the game.
— John Shipley (@_John_Shipley) December 18, 2023
It’s unclear when exactly the issue might have taken place. But late in the third quarter, he was penalized for intentional grounding. Lawrence’s head hit the ground hard as he was being brought down.
Lawrence hit his head hard on a play where he was penalized for intentional grounding late in the third quarter. https://t.co/0PkxuZ5uRV pic.twitter.com/Kyvr5C6GBF
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) December 18, 2023
The play happened on third down and was immediately followed by a Jacksonville punt, so Lawrence went to the sidelines after the play. There were no reports of him going to the medical tent or even being looked at while on the sidelines. Lawrence returned to the field with the rest of the offense when the Jaguars next possession started. He played every offensive snap for the team on the night.
Even after Sunday night’s loss, Jacksonville sits atop the AFC South standings. The Jaguars are in a three-way tie with the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans, with all three teams sitting at 8-6. They presently hold the tiebreaker over both teams. The Texans are also the first team out of the AFC Wild Card picture, losing a tiebreaker with both the Cincinnati Bengals and Colts. The Buffalo Bills are one spot below the Texans, but also 8-6.
If the season ended after Week 15, the Jaguars would be in the playoffs. But in the completely cluttered race for both the AFC South and a Wild Card spot, that postseason position is quite tenuous for Jacksonville. And if the Jags are forced to play without Lawrence, their spot in the postseason is even more precarious.
[John Shipley on Twitter/X]
