Trevor Lawrence’s status for a crucial regular-season finale remains uncertain entering the weekend.
Lawrence (right shoulder) is officially questionable for Jacksonville’s Week 18 contest against the division-rival Tennessee Titans on Sunday. Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson told reporters Friday that Lawrence is still day to day and could end up being a game-time decision at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Jacksonville controls its playoff destiny in Sunday’s game, needing only to defeat the Titans to clinch the AFC South title. The current situation arose after a late-season skid saw the Jaguars lose four straight, eliminating any room for error in a surprisingly tight division race, before getting back on track with a win over Carolina in Week 17.
The Jaguars lost receiver Christian Kirk (groin) at the start of their slide in a 34-31 loss to Cincinnati, but might get the wideout back in time for Week 18. Pederson said Kirk, who is listed as questionable and needs to be activated from injured reserve Saturday in order to play Sunday, would also be a game-time decision.
Kirk’s absence, a collection of stingy opposing defenses and a rough patch of health for Lawrence have all contributed to the Jaguars’ minor meltdown at the end of the 2023 calendar year. They can salvage it all with a win Sunday, perhaps with a few familiar faces back in the mix.