Jaguars’ Lawrence Cleared to Play vs. Texans Despite Shoulder Injury
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence is expected to make his Week 5 start against the Houston Texans despite battling a left shoulder injury, head coach Doug Pederson announced Wednesday.
Injury Update
Lawrence suffered the injury in the Jaguars’ Week 4 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. He was initially listed as questionable for Week 5 but has since been cleared to play after undergoing further evaluation and treatment.
“Trevor’s been working hard to get healthy,” Pederson said. “He’s made a lot of progress, and we’re confident he’ll be ready to go on Sunday.”
Impact on Offense
Lawrence’s availability is a major boost for the Jaguars’ offense, which has struggled to find consistency in his absence. Backup quarterback C.J. Beathard started in Week 4 and threw for just 121 yards and an interception.
“It’s huge to have Trevor back,” said wide receiver Christian Kirk. “He’s our leader, and he makes everyone around him better. We’re all excited to have him back on the field.”
Matchup Analysis
The Jaguars will face a tough test against the Texans, who have a top-10 defense led by Pro Bowl linebacker Christian Kirksey and cornerback Derek Stingley Jr.
“They’re a good defense, but we’re confident in our offense,” Lawrence said. “We’ve got a lot of weapons, and we’re going to be ready for whatever they throw at us.”
Statistical Comparison
In three games this season, Lawrence has completed 62.8% of his passes for 772 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions. Beathard, in comparison, has completed just 57.9% of his passes for 288 yards and an interception.
Outlook
With Lawrence back under center, the Jaguars hope to improve on their 2-2 record and remain in contention for the AFC South division title. The Texans, meanwhile, are looking to snap a three-game losing streak and earn their first win of the season.
“We’re excited for this matchup,” Pederson said. “We know it’s going to be a tough game, but we’re confident in our team. We’re going to go out there and play hard and try to get the win.”