NFL Rumors: Jacksonville Jaguars Quarterback Trevor Lawrence Avoids Major Injury, Could Play in Week 14

Jacksonville Jaguars fans can breathe a sigh of relief. After suffering what appeared to be a devastating injury on Monday Night Football, Pro Bowl quarterback and 2021 first-overall pick Trevor Lawrence has been diagnosed with "just" a high ankle sprain. Coach Doug Pederson even allowed for the possibility that Lawrence could play this week.

#Jaguars coach Doug Pederson says QB Trevor Lawrence has “just” a high-ankle sprain, with all other tests coming back clean. Pederson wouldn’t put a timetable on Lawrence’s recovery, but didn’t rule him out for this week. And not season-ending.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 5, 2023

Lawrence went down in the fourth quarter of Monday's 34-31 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. His ankle was stepped on by Jaguars left tackle Walker Little. Lawrence then collapsed awkwardly, pinning and twisting his ankle underneath his leg. He could not stand under his own power and had to be helped to the locker room. He did not return.

Given the alarming scene at the time, Lawrence's injury is just about a best-case scenario. The Jaguars face a fierce Cleveland Browns defense in Week 14 before hosting the Baltimore Ravens in Week 15 in a game that should have massive seeding implications. If the Jaguars believe they have a shot against the Browns without Lawrence, they'd probably be better off resting him this week. If they're willing to give up the chase for the top seed, the Jaguars can even afford to rest Lawrence multiple games and still contend for the AFC South.

Lawrence hasn't quite lived up to the pre-draft hype that positioned him as one of the greatest quarterback prospects of all time, but he'll need to be healthy if the Jaguars are going to be serious Super Bowl contenders. They rank ninth in scoring this season with 23.8 points per game thanks in large part to Lawrence's progress as a passer: his 250.3 passing yards per game and 6.66 net yards per attempt this year are both career bests.