Trevor Lawrence playing status in doubt for Jaguars against Panthers

Trevor Lawrence might not see the field Sunday in a pivotal game for the Jacksonville Jaguars when they take on the Carolina Panthers.

With two games left, the Jaguars are in a three-way tie at 8-7 for the top of the AFC South with the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts. Needing Lawrence out there is an understatement.

But NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport doesn’t like Lawrence’s chances with the addition of Matt Barkley to the quarterback room.

“The Jacksonville Jaguars are also in wait and see mode on Trevor Lawrence, their star quarterback, dealing with an AC joint sprain, essentially a sprain to right throwing shoulder and they have not yet ruled him out,” Rapoport said. “And obviously we know this year we talked about Trevor Lawrence injuries many times. He has played through basically everything.

“You read the tea leaves here and they are not great. And the reason I say that is because the Jacksonville Jaguars signed Matt Barkley off the Giants practice squad and gave him a spot in the 53 man roster.” 

With that, indications are Lawrence is unlikely to play for the Jaguars Sunday against the Panthers.

“Generally you only do that if you are signing a quarterback, who you know needs to be active,” Rapoport said. “In other words, you signed Matt Barkley and you know there’s a good chance that he’s a backup quarterback. That does open up the possibility that we see CJ Beathard this week for the Jacksonville Jaguars and the game they got to have. So more information on that later but not good signs there for the Jaguars.”

Jacksonville ends with winnable games at home against the Panthers and at division rival, the Tennessee Titans. Lawrence has yet to miss a game this year.

Finishing 10-7 gives Jacksonville the division crown but the team can win it this week as well. They are favorites against the panthers with or without Lawrence.

If the Jaguars win, they need the Colts and Texans to lose to the Raiders and Titans, respectively, this week to clinch.

In 15 games this season, Lawrence has 3,736 yards, 19 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and a  65.5% completion percentage. He’s taken a slight step back compared to 2022, his first under Doug Pederson, but injuries certainly played a factor this season.

The Jaguars play host to the Panthers, with or without Lawrence, Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET.