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Jacksonville Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence banged up, 'frustrated, disappointed' in loss
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- Jacksonville Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence banged up, 'frustrated, disappointed' in loss
Jacksonville Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said on Monday that he spoke to quarterback Trevor Lawrence earlier in the day and said he said Lawrence "was like all of us ... frustrated, disappointed," in the wake of Sunday's 23-20 loss to the Houston Texans in which Lawrence suffered a concussion after a brutal hit by linebacker Azeem Al-Shaair in the second quarter.
Pederson did not have a prognosis for Lawrence's return because of the extensive testing and monitoring required as part of the NFL's concussion protocol.
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The Jaguars (2-10) play at Tennessee (3-9) on Sunday at 1 p.m. (CBS).
Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange (85) goes after Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (0) after a late hit on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence during the second quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Lawrence has had two concussions in 12 months
"He's [Lawrence] got to go through five different stages before he can be cleared," Pederson said of the NFL program requiring a player to be cleared to engage in aerobic and strength training, following by non-contact football-related exercises, non-contact practice, then a normal practice routine before he can play in a game. "We'll see how he responds to this. But as far as game status, I can't comment. We've got to get him through the protocol and then make a determination."
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Complicating the issue is that this is Lawrence's second concussion in 12 months. He had a concussion on Dec. 17, 2023 against Baltimore but was cleared to play in the following week's game against Tampa Bay. The NFL concussion protocol takes previous concussions into account.
Lawrence also must be cleared by an independent doctor.
'Shutting down' Lawrence is only speculation
Pederson said it was premature to talk about shutting Lawrence down for the final five games of the season.
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"It's a tough situation," he said. "You still want to send a positive, good message to your team that we're still fighting to the end, still got five games on the schedule. Obviously, we'll see. But we've got to be smart, too, for his long-term health."
Pederson said teams were warned by officials
Pederson praised the team for their initial reaction to the hit on Lawrence, in which Al-Shaair came at him well after Lawrence started his slide after a 6-yard scramble.
Al-Shaair hit Lawrence with a blow to the head from his left forearm and was ejected. The melee near the Jaguars' bench involved most players on both teams and it took around 10 minutes for officials to get control and resume the game.
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Jaguars rookie cornerback Jarrian Jones was thrown out for throwing a punch. Tight end Evan Engram received a personal foul penalty. After Al-Shaair was ejected, he charged at the Jaguars' sideline again from the end zone and was met by a group of Jaguar players that included Brandon Scherff and Brian Thomas Jr.
Pederson said notions that the team didn't "retaliate" in the second half went against the reality of the situation: the officials warned both coaches that any further antics would result in ejections, without warning, in a game that Houston led 6-3 at halftime.
"I definitely appreciate how our team responded, protecting the quarterback," Pederson said. "Obviously you hate to see it escalate to where it went. The officials basically warned both teams it was no tolerance. ... there was zero tolerance in the second half. So if there was anything that transpired, that player was going to be ejected."
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Tyson Campbell among other players injured
Cornerback Tyson Campbell suffered another injury, this time to a quadriceps muscle, and he will be day-to-day, Pederson said. Campbell missed six games this season with a hamstring injury.
Safety Darnell Savage (ankle) came out but returned to the game and should be available this week.
Punter Logan Cooke was seen with an icebag on his knee in the locker room after the game but Pederson said it was just a matter of "swelling."
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Trevor Lawrence hit: Jaguars QB's process through concussion protocol
