Tag: Lawrence

Jan 7, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) throws during pre-game warmups against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports

Jags GM: Trevor Lawrence, Josh Allen not going anywhere

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Quarterback Trevor Lawrence and edge rusher Josh Allen will be with the Jacksonville Jaguars for the long term, general manager Trent Baalke said Thursday.

Baalke told reporters that the team is prioritizing both franchise cornerstones — Lawrence with a contract extension and Allen with a new deal.

The No. 1 overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, Lawrence signed a four-year, $36.7 million rookie deal that has one year remaining, plus a fifth-year $10.89 million team option before he could hit free agency in 2026.

Allen, the No. 7 overall selection in 2019, played the 2023 season on his fifth-year option and is eligible for free agency when the new league year begins in March.

Lawrence, 24, had a tough rookie year during Urban Meyer’s chaotic season as head coach, then showed growth under Doug Pederson in 2022, leading the Jaguars to a 9-8 record and a playoff victory. He was selected to the Pro Bowl and threw for 4,113 yards with 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

In 2023, however, end-of-season injuries plagued Lawrence and helped to doom the Jaguars’ playoff chances, and he couldn’t improve on the 2022 numbers.

Baalke said it wasn’t cause for worry, calling 2023 another “learning year,” and that the team will pursue a long-term deal.

“As far as Trevor and the long-term relationship with this team, there’s no doubt in that,” Baalke said. “We are going to get something done (at) the appropriate time.”

A deal with Allen, 26, is a more pressing need. He gained his second Pro Bowl nod in 2024 after racking up 66 tackles, 33 quarterback hits and a franchise-record 17.5 sacks in 17 games.

“Yeah, Josh will be a Jaguar,” Baalke said, adding the two sides have yet to talk money.

“I know Josh wants to be here, and I know we want him here,” Baalke said. “Can we come to a number that works for everybody? That’s the key.

“… You have to respect these guys that put themselves in this position. They work hard, they deserve the good money. … We just have to come together and sit down at the table and work things out.”

If Allen and the Jaguars don’t reach a long-term deal in the next few weeks, they could apply the franchise tag to him.

From Feb. 20 until March 5 at 4 p.m. ET, teams may designate franchise or transition tag players. Franchise tag players may not negotiate with other teams and will earn the average of the top five salaries at the position from the current season.

–Field Level Media

Dec 31, 2023; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) before the game against the Carolina Panthers at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-USA TODAY Sports

Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence game-time decision at Tennessee

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Quarterback Trevor Lawrence is officially questionable to play Sunday at Tennessee with the AFC South division on the line for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Seeking a repeat of the division title, the Jaguars (9-7) expect Lawrence to be a game-time decision, head coach Doug Pederson said Friday.

Lawrence, 24, sat out last week with a shoulder injury and has been limited to position-specific workouts this week.

C.J. Beathard started and led Jacksonville to a 26-0 win over the Carolina Panthers last week. Beathard has prepared to be the starter against the Titans (5-11), who are eliminated from playoff contention and facing their own QB questions due to rookie Will Levis’ ankle injury.

“Our guys have a lot of belief in C.J.,” offensive coordinator Press Taylor said of Jacksonville’s confidence level if Lawrence misses a game for the second time in his career. “It’s one thing to say that from what you’ve seen in preparation and practice and preseason and things like that, then for him to go out, execute the game, plan and lead our team to a win — protect the football — I think that just increases everybody’s level of respect for him and trust in him and in what he’s capable of.”

Lawrence increased his throwing distance to longer throws with more velocity on Friday, a sign he is progressing according to a rehabilitation plan.

The Jaguars can’t win the AFC South if they lose, but would be in the playoffs as a wild card with a loss provided the Baltimore Ravens beat the Pittsburgh Steelers Saturday and the Las Vegas Raiders beat the Denver Broncos — or tie — Sunday afternoon. The game between the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans also couldn’t end in a tie.

–Field Level Media

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) looks on from the sideline during the fourth quarter of a regular season NFL football matchup Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jacksonville Jaguars blanked the Carolina Panthers 26-0. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]

Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence to practice Wednesday

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Quarterback Trevor Lawrence is getting healthy and the Jacksonville Jaguars plan to make a full assessment of his readiness for their Week 18 visit to the Tennessee Titans in practice on Wednesday.

Lawrence might not be 100 percent and missed last week’s win over the Carolina Panthers with a shoulder injury.

“A little bit more than limited (in Wednesday’s practice). He’s doing better … in the day-to-day category,” Doug Pederson said of Lawrence’s health improving.

The Jaguars are 9-7 and can win the AFC South with a victory on Sunday. Indianapolis and Houston, also 9-7, play Saturday night.

“Obviously, our focus is trying to beat Tennessee. Regardless of records, playing and not playing, this is always a four-quarter game,” Pederson said. “Regardless of where they might be right now, these guys are going to play hard for Mike (Vrabel).”

Lawrence has been a regular in the rehab room with trainers in the past month. He left the Dec. 4 loss to the Bengals with an ankle injury that appeared to be serious at the time but was able to get back on the field six days later at Cleveland.

In the aftermath of the loss to the Browns, Lawrence entered concussion protocol but made it back for a 23-7 loss to Baltimore. He injured his shoulder the following week in Jacksonville’s 30-12 loss at Tampa Bay.

C.J. Beathard started in Week 17 and the Jaguars won for the first time in five games.

“Before Carolina, you’d say our confidence was shaken a little bit. Four-game skid … we needed that,” Pederson said.

–Field Level Media

Dec 10, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson talks with quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence practices, awaits concussion clearance

Posted on | by Field Level Media

For the second time this month, anticipation of a near-certain absence for Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence took a surprising turn when he returned to practice four days after entering concussion protocol.

Lawrence awaits final clearance from the NFL-mandated protocol for documented head injuries before he’s permitted to travel with Jacksonville (8-6) across the state on the team charter Saturday to Tampa, Fla., head coach Doug Pederson said.

Pederson said Friday morning prior to practice that he didn’t expect Lawrence to be limited in the afternoon workout.

“Part of the protocol where he’s at in the stages is he can practice today. It still doesn’t mean he’s cleared,” Pederson said, noting part of the purpose of the practice is gauging how a player reacts to the stress of the workout.

If Lawrence is cleared, he’d be making his 51st consecutive start for the Jaguars since he was selected with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. Lawrence, 24, made a rapid recovery from a high-ankle sprain, typically a three- to five-week issue, earlier this month to start on a short week coming out of a loss to the Bengals on “Monday Night Football.”

C.J. Beathard, 2-10 as a starter in his career, has taken most of the first-team snaps with the offense this week.

The Buccaneers (7-7) have won three consecutive games.

Lawrence’s availability for Sunday’s game is in question after he was placed in concussion protocol following last Sunday’s 23-7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

“To me it’s the same. I’m taking a lot more reps at practice and stuff, but I’m preparing the same way,” Beathard said. “You gotta prepare as if you’re gonna be going and then, hopefully, (Lawrence) clears concussion protocol by the end of this week for sure.”

–Field Level Media

Jacksonville Jaguars backup C.J. Beathard (3) might be in line to start at Tampa Bay with Trevor Lawrence (16) in concussion protocol.

Jaguars backup QB preparing to start with Trevor Lawrence idle

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Jacksonville Jaguars backup quarterback C.J. Beathard is preparing to play this week with starter Trevor Lawrence in concussion protocol.

But Lawrence was present at the team facility on Wednesday and Beathard noted he appears to be improved over the past few days.

“He’s doing better,” Beathard said Wednesday. “He’s in the building today.”

Beathard could get the call after Lawrence finished the contest Sunday night against the Ravens but entered concussion protocol because of symptoms he experienced after the game. The loss dropped Jacksonville to 8-6 and into a three-way tie with the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans in the AFC South.

“Right now I’m preparing as if I’m starting on Sunday. … If we get news that (Trevor) clears the protocol, that’s great news,” Beathard said.

The gameplan for the Jaguars does differ, but only slightly according to Beathard, if Lawrence doesn’t receive medical clearance to make the start at Tampa Bay on Christmas Eve.

“We like a lot of the same stuff,” Beathard said.

Back-to-back road wins at Atlanta and Green Bay lifted the Buccaneers to 7-7 on the season and into first place in the NFC South. Tampa Bay has won three consecutive games.

“Momentum is coming with winning,” head coach Todd Bowles said. “The urgency is there. We know we have to win out to get to the playoffs; that’s been our mindset since we played Carolina. That’s our mindset this week, as well, against a good Jacksonville team.”

–Field Level Media

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) looks on during the third quarter of a regular season NFL football matchup Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville.

Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence in concussion protocol

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence is starting the week in concussion protocol and his status for Jacksonville’s Christmas Eve trip to Tampa Bay to face the Buccaneers is uncertain.

Lawrence suffered the concussion on the Jaguars’ last possession of Sunday’s 23-7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, head coach Doug Pederson said. Lawrence finished the game.

Lawrence fumbled twice in the defeat and finished with 264 passing yards and a touchdown pass.

Players in the concussion protocol have to be cleared by an independent neurologist before they can play, and those final approval steps include a limited participation day of practice on the field.

Jacksonville is one of three AFC South teams with an 8-6 record along with the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans.

The Texans won Sunday without sensational rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, who was in concussion protocol.

Lawrence made a surprisingly swift recovery from a high-ankle sprain suffered in the Dec. 4 loss to Cincinnati and was cleared to play in each of the past two games, but the Jaguars have now lost three consecutive games — all to AFC North foes, the Bengals, Browns and Ravens.

C.J. Beathard, who replaced Lawrence in the Dec. 4 game, is 2-10 as a starter. He would likely get the call to face the Buccaneers if Lawrence isn’t cleared.

The Jaguars close the season with a home game against the Carolina Panthers (2-12) in Week 17 and spend the final weekend of the regular season in Nashville, facing the Titans (5-9). Jacksonville defeated Tennessee 34-14 on Nov. 19.

–Field Level Media

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) leads his team onto the field before a regular season NFL football matchup Monday, Dec. 4, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 34-31 in overtime. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]

Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence likely a game-time decision vs. Browns

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Whether Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence will play Sunday against the Cleveland Browns is likely to be a game-time decision, coach Doug Pederson said Friday.

Lawrence, 24, sustained a high ankle sprain during the team’s 34-31 overtime loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday and returned to practice Thursday in a limited capacity.

“He’s feeling good, we’ll see,” Pederson said Friday. “He moved around a little bit yesterday, we’ll see how he does today. Kind of base it on medical staff, how Trevor feels and if he can go or not.”

Lawrence was expected to practice on Friday, and Pederson said his quarterback would be listed as questionable against the Browns on the team’s injury report.

Lawrence has 3,004 yards passing, 14 touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 94.4 passer rating on the season. He also has 248 yards rushing with four scores on the ground.

Should Lawrence be unable to play, veteran backup C.J. Beathard likely would start for Jacksonville (8-4) at Cleveland (7-5).

Jacksonville officially placed wide receiver Christian Kirk on injured reserve Friday with a core muscle injury sustained in the first quarter Monday. He is facing a recovery time of six to eight weeks after surgery.

Kirk, 27, caught 57 passes for 787 yards and three touchdowns in 12 starts this season. He led the Jags with 1,108 yards on 84 receptions last season.

–Field Level Media

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) leads his team onto the field before a regular season NFL football matchup Monday, Dec. 4, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 34-31 in overtime. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]

Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence has high-ankle sprain

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence sustained a high-ankle sprain during the team’s 34-31 overtime loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, coach Doug Pederson announced Tuesday.

Pederson did not believe tightrope surgery is needed for Lawrence, however he was not willing to project when the franchise quarterback might return to the field. Pederson isn’t ruling Lawrence out for the Jaguars’ game against the host Cleveland Browns (7-5) on Sunday.

“We’ll see where he is here in the next couple of days,” Pederson said.

Backup C.J. Beathard would make his first start since the 2020 season should Lawrence be unable to play for the Jaguars (8-4) six days after avoiding a major injury.

Pederson also said wide receiver Christian Kirk has a core muscle injury and believes surgery will be necessary for a full recovery.

Rookie Parker Washington caught six passes for 61 yards and a touchdown in an expanded role with Kirk sidelined.

“When Christian goes down on the first play of the game, it’s not what you expect. But I thought Parker filled in nicely,” Pederson said. “He made some really nice plays for us. Obviously, the touchdown catch and a couple others. Something he can build on and continue to gain confidence as he plays.”

Dropping back to pass on third-and-10 from the Bengals’ 23-yard line with less than six minutes left in the fourth quarter on Monday, Lawrence’s lower right leg was stepped on by left tackle Walker Little, who was directly engaged with a defender and blocking on the play.

Lawrence went to the ground as pressure was applied to his planted foot. His right knee twisted under his body with Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson credited with a sack. The third-year quarterback tried to walk off the field but after a couple of steps, went to a knee and slammed his helmet to the ground. The crowd at EverBank Stadium let out a groan when Lawrence went to his knee.

Lawrence was helped off the field and into the locker room by two members of the Jaguars’ staff but was barely able to put any weight on his right leg.

After the game, another NFL Network report stated that Lawrence was smiling with teammates after the game and that his ankle was not wrapped. He did use crutches for support while wearing a walking boot, according to the report.

For the night, Lawrence completed 22 of 29 passes for 258 yards and two touchdowns. He added five carries for 8 yards and another score.

Beathard, 24, entered in place of Lawrence and went 9 of 10 for 63 yards in the fourth quarter and overtime.

Lawrence has 3,004 yards passing, 14 touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 94.4 passer rating on the season. He also has 248 yards rushing with four scores on the ground.

Kirk, 27, was injured while reeling in a 26-yard catch on Jacksonville’s first offensive play on Monday. He did not return.

–Field Level Media

Oct 15, 2023; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) makes a throw against the Indianapolis Colts during the first quarter at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-USA TODAY Sports

Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence (knee) injured vs. Colts

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence sustained a left knee injury late in Sunday’s 37-20 home victory over the Indianapolis Colts.

Lawrence is slated to undergo tests on the knee. He said the knee is a “little bit bruised.”

“I’m going to get it checked out a little more but I should be OK,” Lawrence told CBS.

Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said he had no information to share per the knee.

Lawrence was injured when sacked by Samson Ebukam of the Colts with 3:04 left in the contest. He reached for the knee after being tackled, was gimpy walking off the field and was examined on the sidelines.

In his postgame press conference, Lawrence said he felt “discomfort” in the knee when he hit the ground.

When Jacksonville got the ball back with 1:45 remaining, backup quarterback C.J. Beathard entered to take the three game-ending kneel-downs.

Lawrence was 20-of-30 passing for 181 yards, two touchdowns and one interception for the Jaguars (4-2), who moved into first place in the AFC South.

Lawrence has passed for 1,439 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions this season.

Lawrence’s availability will be a big storyline as a short week awaits the Jaguars, who visit the New Orleans Saints on Thursday night.

–Field Level Media

Jan 1, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (97) celebrates a defensive stop during the second half against the Indianapolis Colts at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Giants signing NT Dexter Lawrence to $90M extension

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Nose tackle Dexter Lawrence and the New York Giants agreed to a four-year, $90 million contract extension, multiple outlets reported Thursday.

Lawrence was entering the final year of his rookie contract and scheduled to make $12.4 million in 2023.

But general manager Joe Schoen made it clear at the NFL Scouting Combine that Lawrence was high on their list of contract priorities.

“We’ve had great conversations with (his agent),” Schoen said of the 2019 first-round pick. “He’s a great leader, great player. We’d like to have him here for a long time.”

Lawrence and quarterback Daniel Jones, who signed a four-year, $160 million extension in March, have hit big paydays since the 2023 league year began. The Giants also used the franchise tag to retain running back Saquon Barkley. Barkley is working out away from the team during the voluntary portion of the offseason schedule and hoping for a long-term deal.

Lawrence pairs with defensive tackle Leonard Williams — who has a monstrous $32 million cap figure for 2023 — to form a productive tandem in the middle of the New York defensive line.

Lawrence, 25, was the 17th pick in the 2019 draft, one of the selections the Giants received in return for Odell Beckham Jr. in the swap with the Cleveland Browns.

Lawrence had 68 tackles, 7.5 sacks and was named to his first Pro Bowl in 2022.

–Field Level Media