Miami (AFP) – Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence has been ruled out of Sunday’s clash with the Carolina Panthers due to a shoulder injury, the team said on Friday.
Lawrence suffered the injury in last week’s defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Jaguar’s fourth straight loss.
The New Years Eve game will be the first game that Lawrence has missed since he was drafted with the first overall pick in 2021, ending a 49-game run of consecutive starts.
C.J.Beathard, who has yet to start a game since joining the Jags in 2021, will replace Lawrence.
Beathard was previously with the San Francisco 49ers and had a 2-10 record in his four seasons with the club.
Lawrence has struggled with various injuries this season and while he has played through his troubles, it has meant more opportunities in practice for Beathard.
“Trevor’s been banged up for the last several weeks.
I’ve been able to get some reps with those guys throughout practice throughout the last several weeks, and it has been good.We’ll just build on that for sure,” said Beathard.
The 30-year-old came in for Lawrence during the loss to Tampa Bay and completed 11 of 15 passes for 94 yards and a touchdown.
“He’s ready to go at a moment’s notice,” said Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson, before Lawrence was ruled out.
“He stepped in last week and did a nice job for us at the end of that game.It’s a tough decision, but sometimes I have to make those decisions based on Trevor’s health and where we are as a team,” he said.
Despite four straight losses, Jacksonville is in contention for a place in the playoffs and could clinch the AFC South divisional title on Sunday if they win and Indianapolis and Houston both lose.
The Jaguars would be sure of a place in the playoffs if they win both their remaining games with their final game coming at the Tennessee Titans.
