Trevor Lawrence’s Injury Uncertainty and Draft Implications for the Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars are facing significant uncertainty regarding the health of their star quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, as they approach Week 11 of the NFL season. Lawrence missed the Jaguars’ Week 10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings due to a reported “significant” AC joint sprain in his left shoulder. Coach Doug Pederson has indicated that it is “hard to tell” whether Lawrence will be able to play against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, emphasizing that there are still a few days to assess his condition.

Lawrence’s injury has raised questions about his long-term availability for the season. Despite his limited practices last week, there is no definitive answer on whether he will require surgery, a possibility mentioned by NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport but dismissed by Pederson.

In Lawrence’s absence, Mac Jones started for the Jaguars in Week 10 but had a lackluster performance, completing 14 of 22 passes for 111 yards and committing three turnovers in the final seven minutes of the game. Pederson expressed confidence in Jones, noting that he will learn from his mistakes and improve with another week of practice.

The Jaguars’ current season struggles, coupled with Lawrence’s injury, have also sparked discussions about their strategy for the 2025 NFL Draft. With a 2-8 record, the Jaguars are on pace to secure a high draft pick, potentially the top overall selection. However, given their commitment to Lawrence with a five-year, $275 million contract extension, they are unlikely to draft a quarterback. Instead, analyst Brent Sobleski suggests that the Jaguars should trade down to accumulate more draft picks, leveraging their high pick to address multiple needs such as offensive tackle, offensive guard, cornerback, safety, and the interior defensive line.

Coach Pederson remains optimistic about the team’s morale, stating that despite the disappointing season, the players have not given up and continue to put in the effort during practice. The Jaguars’ playoff chances are slim, but Pederson emphasizes the importance of focusing on the positives and working on the team’s issues.