As Rapoport particulars, Lawrence has a big AC joint sprain. The ailment is to his left (non-throwing) shoulder, although it could possibly make throwing, and even fundamental functioning, troublesome. Whereas the present plan is for the Clemson product to easily relaxation and rehab the harm, surgical procedure stays a definite risk.
Such a choice would naturally power Lawrence to overlook the stability of the 2024 marketing campaign. Dianna Russini of The Athletic experiences that the 25-year-old passer remains to be gathering details about his choices, one in every of which features a untimely finish to his season.
If Lawrence is unable to swimsuit up once more in 2024, it will seemingly not have an excessive amount of of an influence on Jacksonville’s fast fortunes. The two-7 outfit has virtually no probability of qualifying for the playoffs, and the Jags will due to this fact wish to be additional cautious with their high-priced signal-caller, who signed a five-year, $275M extension in June.
Nonetheless, ought to the losses proceed to pile up, it turns into much more seemingly that head coach Doug Pederson and GM Trent Baalke will likely be fired. Proprietor Shad Khan voiced his support for each males final month, however Khan additionally referred to as this yr’s roster the perfect in franchise historical past, and because the membership has struggled even with its QB1 within the lineup, it will not be a shock if Khan opted for an organizational overhaul.
Mac Jones, an offseason trade acquisition, will get the decision in Lawrence’s absence. The previous first-round choose of the Patriots, who completed second in Offensive Rookie of the Yr voting in 2021, noticed the early levels of his profession undermined by New England’s teaching and schematic maneuvers the next season. With the Pats holding the No. 3 general choose on this yr’s draft and wanting to start out afresh with a brand new teaching regime and a brand new quarterback, Jones was dealt to his native Jacksonville in trade for a sixth-round choose.
Now 26, Jones did have to carry off C.J. Beathard for the Jags’ backup gig over the summer time (Beathard is now back on the team after Jacksonville just lately signed him from the Dolphins’ taxi squad within the wake of Lawrence’s harm). Jones has thrown simply 9 passes this season, however he’s in a contract yr, and he might have an actual probability to construct some momentum down the stretch as he tries to place himself for not less than a shot at a beginning gig someplace in 2025.
