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Trevor Lawrence injury: Why Mac Jones just needs to be himself as Jacksonville Jaguars QB
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- Trevor Lawrence injury: Why Mac Jones just needs to be himself as Jacksonville Jaguars QB
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence was sent to the injured reserve list on Wednesday , making Mac Jones the official starting quarterback for at least the next four weeks.
Lawrence suffered a concussion when he was hit by Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair in Sunday's loss to Houston . A hit that's since earned Al-Shaair a three-game suspension from the NFL.
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"He's still in the protocol," Pederson said of Lawrence during his Wednesday media availability. Lawrence is dealing with his second concussion in the last year after self-reporting symptoms of a concussion last season after Jacksonville faced the Baltimore Ravens .
Now, Jones will start his third game of the season for the Jaguars on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans . Pederson said he wants "Mac to be Mac" as he operates the offense going forward.
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) is tackled by Houston Texans cornerback Kamari Lassiter (4) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Texans held off the Jaguars 23-20. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
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"I think he's learned from the two previous starts that he had, and really just ran the offense," he said of Jones' game against the Texans . "Ran it like he knows how to run it, like what it looks like to him. I think that's something we can build on this week."
Jones finished the game completing 20 of 32 passes for 235 yards with two touchdowns and almost led a comeback after trailing by multiple scores in the fourth quarter. He looked much improved from the other times he was called into action this season.
"Every game is different and at the end of the day you want to be in it at the fourth quarter," Jones said when reflecting on his performance on Sunday. "Defense did a good job just getting us the ball back and giving us a chance at the end to get there."
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) spikes the ball after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024 at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Jones has started two games this season already, losses to the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions ahead of Jacksonville's bye week. He also was called into action as the Jaguars trailed against the Buffalo Bills earlier this season.
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With Jones at the helm for the foreseeable future, "Mac being Mac" will be a reality for the Jaguars. But what exactly does that mean to Jones?
"The people that know me know I love this game. I love to have fun, and I feel like I did that at times on Sunday," he said. "I'm going to carry that to the next game here and hopefully the guys around me know that. I think since I've been here, they know when I'm in the huddle it's about having fun and letting loose. That's what I'm going to do again."
With Jones and the Jaguars eliminated from postseason contention, they're playing for something else. Maybe it's pride.
Maybe it's the second chance that Jones has referenced , wanting the opportunity to become a starting NFL quarterback again down the road.
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) and quarterback Mac Jones (10) look to pass during an organized team activity Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at EverBank Stadium’s Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla.
But with Lawrence sidelined for the next four games, and potentially the rest of the season, Jones and his teammates will be playing with him in mind.
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"Honestly, the play that happened is really unfortunate for everybody, but I know Trevor is doing a little bit better which is awesome and that's all you can ask for," Jones said. "We definitely had his back and now it's time to continue to play for him and move forward."
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Jaguars' Mac Jones ready to 'have fun,' 'let loose'
