(This story has been updated to add new information)
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said quarterback Trevor Lawrence is “trending” to not play against the Minnesota Vikings due to a left shoulder injury he suffered against the Philadelphia Eagles last week.
“Obviously we have another day today. He’s been very limited all week. Obviously he’s trending toward not playing or leaning toward not playing,” Pederson said. “But we will see today where he is now. He felt good today and… [Jaguars QB] Mac [Jones]”Ready to go if necessary.”
Pederson said part of his philosophy is not to field players who did not practice during the week.
“That’s why I said it goes the other way. I think that’s something I learned last year,” Pederson said.
Pederson said he would not speculate on whether Lawrence would need surgery or not, and that surgery has not been talked about. He also said the team will not place Lawrence on injured reserve “at this point.”
Pederson added that Lawrence would “likely” be listed as questionable on the injury report when asked if that was the case. But he said it would “depend on what the medical staff says.”
This may be the second game he has missed in his career. Last year, Lawrence missed the team’s Week 17 game against the Carolina Panthers with a right shoulder injury.
Lawrence played through multiple injuries last year, missing significant time from practice.
Lawrence injured his left shoulder against the Philadelphia Eagles last week and was a limited participant in practice this week.
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On Wednesday, Pederson was noncommittal when asked if Lawrence would miss the game.
“I can’t answer that. I can’t answer that today. I’m not sitting here Wednesday, no,” Pederson said at the time.
Lawrence did not want to specify a day on which the team would decide its playing position, but said he wanted to feel comfortable and be able to perform at his best on Sunday.
“Not necessarily a timeline for it. I think I just want to feel comfortable and feel like I can give my best and give everything I need to do to help our team win. So, I think that’s the decision that will ultimately be made.” “End of the day,” Lawrence said Wednesday, adding that the decision came down to what was best for the team and himself.
“Ultimately for the team and that’s what gives us the best chance to win on Sunday.”
Through nine games this season, Lawrence has completed 61.3% of his passes for 2,004 yards, 11 touchdowns and six interceptions.
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The Jaguars are 2-7 and will face the 6-2 Vikings at EverBank Stadium on Sunday.
Jaguars backup QB Mac Jones will start against the Vikings if Lawrence misses
![Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) throws the ball as quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) looks on during a joint NFL training camp session between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jacksonville Jaguars Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024 at Miller Electric Center at Everbank Stadium In Jacksonville, Florida [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]](https://www.jacksonville.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2024/08/15/NFTU/74813285007-jki-081524-tc-bucs-jags-79.jpg?width=1320&height=878&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
With Lawrence likely out, backup quarterback Mac Jones will start his first game since Week 12 of last season as a member of the New England Patriots. Jones, a Jacksonville native, said Wednesday that he is preparing like a rookie and feels he will be ready if his number is called.
“I’ve done a great job of sticking to my schedule as a starter and going through every week and preparing as a starter and learning from Trevor and the coaches and watching how the guys move and how they block and all that stuff. It’s been a lot of fun,” Jones said.
With the Patriots, Jones completed 66.1% of his passes for 8,946 yards, 46 touchdowns and 36 interceptions. Jones was traded to the Jaguars in March earlier this year for a 2024 sixth-round pick.
Demetrius Harvey is Jacksonville Jaguars Reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, in @Demetrius82.
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