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Jacksonville Jaguars QB Mac Jones prepares each week like starter. He just might Sunday
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- Jacksonville Jaguars QB Mac Jones prepares each week like starter. He just might Sunday
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence is in jeopardy of missing this week's matchup against the Minnesota Vikings after suffering a left shoulder injury against the Philadelphia Eagles last week.
That means backup QB Mac Jones could be called upon to make his first start in a Jaguars uniform since being traded to the team via the New England Patriots this spring.
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Trevor Lawrence shoulder injury: What we know on Jacksonville Jaguars QB status for Sunday
On Wednesday, Jones was asked just outside the Jaguars' locker room what his mindset is headed into this week.
"I've done a great job sticking to my schedule as a starter and just going through each week and preparing like a starter and learning from Trevor and the coaches and watching how guys move and how they block and all that stuff. So it's been good," Jones said of his preparation.
Jones is used to being a starting quarterback. He started 42 games with the Patriots , completing 66.1% of his passes for 8,946 yards, 46 touchdowns and 36 interceptions. He lost the starting gig temporarily multiple times during his three seasons with New England , but he has the experience needed to succeed if his number is called.
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Mac Jones will start if Trevor Lawrence can't play due to left shoulder injury
Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson re-affirmed that point Monday when he said that Jones will work as the primary backup to Lawrence despite the team signing C.J. Beathard to the 53-man roster on Wednesday via the Miami Dolphins practice squad.
"Mac is still the No. 2, obviously, and prepares each week to play. Now, we've got another veteran quarterback on the roster," Pederson said.
Jones said that, as an NFL quarterback, you always have to be ready.
"You plan your week like a starter. So, I've been fortunate to kind of adjust that each week and figure out what works for me to feel confident on Sunday," Jones said.
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"Whether you're taking the first snap, you're taking the 10th snap, zero, 50, 60, 70, it doesn't matter. You have to have that mentality of, hey I did all the work, and I feel comfortable, and I feel like I've gotten the reps visually, or however I get them. Then, from there, you just go, let it rip."
Jones got a lot reps during Organized Team Activities, minicamp, training camp and the preseason.
Jones completed 73.1% of his passes for 421 yards and three touchdowns during the preseason.
"We'll see how it goes," he said.
Will Trevor Lawrence play Sunday, what is his current status?
Nov 3, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) scores a touchdown past Philadelphia Eagles safety Reed Blankenship (32) during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Lawrence practiced limited Wednesday and that is expected to be the trend through the week.
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Pederson was noncommital on Wednesday when asked about the franchise quarterback's status for Sunday.
"Can't answer that. Can't answer that today. Not sitting here Wednesday, no," said Pederson.
On Wednesday, NFL Media's Ian Rapoport said on social media that Lawrence continues to get treatment and is "considered unlikely to play Sunday vs. the Vikings."
He also rebuffed a report from former Jaguars offensive coordinator Jay Gruden that Lawrence needs surgery.
"No surgery scheduled, Jay. There are several options immediate and down the road. That's one of them. He's considered day-to-day with a left shoulder," Rapoport said in reply to Gruden.
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If Lawrence cannot play, it will be the second game the quarterback has missed due to injuries since being drafted first overall by the Jaguars in 2021. Lawrence missed Week 17 against the Carolina Panthers last year due to a right, throwing shoulder injury.
Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Demetrius82 .
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Trevor Lawrence shoulder injury may press Jaguars' Mac Jones into duty
