Trevor Lawrence injury updates: Latest on Jaguars QB's status for Week 18 game vs. Titans

The Jacksonville Jaguars are heading into their pivotal Week 18 showdown against the Tennessee Titans – with the AFC South crown and a playoff berth at stake – lacking clarity on Trevor Lawrence.

The third-year quarterback missed last week’s game against the Carolina Panthers with a shoulder injury, marking the first time he had ever sat out a game in his pro career. But Lawrence returned to practice this week, though he was listed as limited from Wednesday-Friday.

If Lawrence is unable to play, the Jaguars would likely turn to C.J. Beathard, the seventh-year veteran who last week made his first start since 2020. Beathard completed 17 of 24 passes for 178 yards in a 26-0 win against the Panthers.

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Lawrence’s availability could have a wide-ranging effect on the NFL playoff picture in the final weekend of the regular season. With a win, the Jaguars will clinch the AFC South title for the second consecutive year. But a loss would bump them out of the postseason field, wrapping up the division for the Houston Texans and giving the final two berths in the conference to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills.

Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars looks on prior to a game against the Carolina Panthers at EverBank Stadium on December 31, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida.

Here’s the latest on what we know about Lawrence’s injury:

Trevor Lawrence injury updates: Latest news on Jaguars QB

Lawrence, who is officially listed as questionable, could be a game-time decision, Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said Friday.

Pederson said Lawrence would play if medically cleared.

“If he’s good to go, he’s good to go. I don’t want to say cautious, but he’ll just have to know that he’ll try to do anything he can to protect himself. At the same time, if he’s out there, he’s rolling, and we’ll go play,” Pederson said, according to the Florida Times-Union.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Sunday morning that Lawrence was “trending in the right direction.”

Jaguars injury report

Lawrence isn’t the only key Jaguars figure facing some uncertainty around his status for Sunday.

Wide receiver Christian Kirk is also listed as questionable with a core muscle injury but was activated to the active roster on Saturday.

Kirk ranks third on the Jaguars in both receptions (57) and receiving yards (787).

Fellow wide receiver Zay Jones (knee/hamstring) is also listed as questionable.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trevor Lawrence injury updates: Latest on Jaguars QB’s status for Week 18 game vs. Titans