JACKSONVILLE – He practiced again – and this time, he threw.
That’s Thursday’s update on Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence, with his status for Sunday remaining a huge storyline entering a win-and-get-in matchup in the 2023 regular-season finale.
Lawrence, a third-year veteran who missed his first career NFL start this past Sunday, practiced limited on Wednesday for a second consecutive day. He also threw passes during the period open to the media, which he did not do while practicing limited Wednesday.
C.J. Beathard would make a second consecutive start if Lawrence can’t play. Beathard threw for 178 yards and no touchdowns with no interceptions in a victory over Carolina Sunday.
“That’s a big deal,” Jaguars offensive coordinator Press Taylor said Thursday as the AFC South-leading Jaguars (9-7) prepared to play the Tennessee Titans (5-11) at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday at 1 p.m.
Lawrence, who started the first 49 regular-season games of his NFL career, missed Sunday with a sprained AC joint sustained the previous week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He did not practice last week and was ruled out on Friday.
“Our guys have a lot of belief in C.J.,” Taylor said. “It’s one thing to say that from what you’ve seen in preparation and practice and preseason and things like that, then for him to go out, execute the game, plan and lead our team to a win – protect the football – I think that just increases everybody’s level of respect for him and trust in him and in what he’s capable of.”
The Jaguars can clinch a second consecutive AFC South title with a victory Sunday. They can not win the South if they lose, but they can make the playoffs as a wild card with a loss if the Baltimore Ravens beat the Pittsburgh Steelers Saturday and the Denver Broncos lose or tie against the Los Vegas Raiders late Sunday afternoon.
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Outside linebacker Josh Allenon Wednesday was named to the 2024 Pro Bowl Games. This marks his second Pro Bowl after making the team as a rookie following the 2019 season. “We have bigger and better things ahead,” said Allen, who set a franchise record for single-season sacks when he had three sacks against Carolina to push his season total to 16.5. “It’s something that I challenged myself for, especially in the offseason. If I dedicated myself, dedicated to my craft – and pushed myself physically, mentally and emotionally – I’m capable of playing at a high level. For me, it’s just doing what I’m doing and being consistent at that and good things will come. The season’s not over yet. We have a lot of games left and we have to finish strong.”
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Jaguars long snapper Ross Matiscik also on Wednesday was named to the Pro Bowl, marking the first Pro Bowl appearance for the fourth-year veteran. “It’s a blessing,” Matiscik said. “I have great teammates: [Punter] Logan [Cooke], [kicker] Brandon [McManus] … these guys are so deserving to be there with me. To get this nod this year is pretty cool.” Matiscik’s eight special teams tackles leads the Jaguars this season and also is first among NFL long snappers. “I take a lot of pride in my coverage ability,” said Matiscik, who played linebacker at Baylor. “As a long snapper, you keep the main thing. That’s to snap and get the ball to Logan safely, protect and block who you’re supposed to block. After that, I let my linebacker roots take over, get downfield and try to help out the coverage the best I can.”
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Wide receivers Zay Jones and Christian Kirk practiced limited for a second consecutive day Wednesday. Kirk has missed the last four games while on injured reserve with a groin injury; he had his window opened this week to return from injured reserve. Jones has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury after practicing limited last week before being ruled out Sunday. Also: Offensive linemen link-placeholder-3 and Walker Little (hamstring) practiced full for a second consecutive day.
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