Trevor Lawrence is likely out; Mac Jones would start against the Vikings

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence doesn’t look like he will play against the Vikings on Sunday because of his left shoulder injury, coach Doug Pederson said Friday morning.

“The trend is going that way [Lawrence] not playing,” Pederson said.

Mac Jones, who the Jaguars acquired in a trade in March, will start against the Vikings if Lawrence is out. CJ Beathard, whom the Jaguars signed off the Miami Dolphins’ practice squad on Wednesday, would be Jones’ replacement.

Lawrence is among eight players listed as questionable on Friday’s injury report, as are wide receivers Brian Thomas Jr. (chest) and Gabe Davis (shoulder). Starting left guard Ezra Cleveland (ankle) and backup defenseman Maason Smith (ankle) were ruled out.

This would be just the second game Lawrence has missed since the Jaguars drafted him first overall in 2021. He did not play against the Carolina Panthers in Week 17 last season because he injured his right throwing shoulder.

Lawrence was injured in the first half of Sunday’s 28-23 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles when he was hit headfirst while running. Against the Eagles, he didn’t miss a snap and put the Jaguars in position to score a touchdown, but was intercepted in the end zone by linebacker Nakobe Dean with 1:40 left.

Lawrence was able to practice on a limited basis throughout the week.

On his weekly radio show Thursday, Pederson hinted that Lawrence likely wouldn’t play against the Vikings, as the quarterback battled a concussion and ankle and shoulder injuries in the final six games last season and is no longer fully fit was practice.

“I learned last year: If we know at the start of the week that he’s not going to play, we’re not going to play him,” Pederson said. “Let him get healthy, let him heal, because he can’t miss those reps in practice, the quarterback position that’s supposed to be played.”

Lawrence has thrown for 2,004 yards with 11 touchdowns and six interceptions this season. He completed 61.3% of his passes, which was the second-lowest completion rate of his career.

He threw for 13,774 yards with 69 touchdowns and 45 interceptions in 59 games for the Jaguars. Since entering the league, he leads the NFL in total turnovers (67), although he has been significantly better this season with just seven.

This would be Jones’ first start since Week 12 of 2023, when he completed 12 of 21 passes for 89 yards with two interceptions in the New England Patriots’ 10-7 loss to the New York Giants. He was benched for the Patriots’ final six games and they sent him to Jacksonville for a sixth-round pick in the 2024 draft.

Jones appeared in two games this season, completing 6 of 9 passes for 28 yards and being sacked twice.

The Patriots selected Jones 15th overall in 2021 – when Lawrence was the first pick – and he completed 66.1% of his passes for 8,946 yards with 46 touchdowns and 36 interceptions in 42 starts. He had an 18-24 record in New England, leading the team to the playoffs, and he made the Pro Bowl in his rookie season.