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Trevor Lawrence Out For Week 11; Jaguars Optimistic About Post-Bye Return

November 14th, 2024 at 9:47am CST by Adam La Rose

Trevor Lawrence missed only the second game of his career last week as he continues to deal with an AC joint sprain. Jacksonville’s starting quarterback will be sidelined again in Week 11, but his status beyond that point is uncertain.

Lawrence’s sprain is in his non-throwing shoulder, and for the time being he is attempting to address the matter through rest and rehab. Surgery could be an option at some point, however, and that would shut him down for the remainder of the campaign. For the time being, team and player are taking a week-to-week approach.

Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson confirmed Lawrence will be out for the upcoming game against the Lions. That matchup will be followed by the team’s bye week, and Pederson expressed optimism (via ESPN’s Michael DiRocco) Lawrence could be back in place in time for Jacksonville’s Week 13 game. The team will no doubt be cautious with the former No. 1 pick’s rehab process, but multiple weeks on the mend could help in his recovery to a notable degree.

The Jaguars sit at 2-8 on the year, so a second-half turnaround leading to postseason contention should not be expected. Lawrence’s long-term health is an obvious priority for the franchise given his five-year, $275MM extension signed this offseason. After the Clemson product played through a number of ailments late last season, it would come as no surprise if avoiding the risk of further injury received consideration in 2024. Having Lawrence in place would, on the other hand, give the Jags a chance to find better consistency and production on offense down the stretch – something which, in turn, could play a role in determining Pederson’s job security.

Mac Jones got the nod in Week 10, going 14-for-22 in a loss to the Vikings. The former Patriots first-rounder threw a pair of interceptions; he also committed one fumble and was sacked three times. An improved performance will be the goal against the 8-1 Lions, although expectations will likely be rather low on that front given the caliber of Jacksonville’s opposition. Recently re-acquired C.J. Beathard will dress as Jones’ backup for at least one more contest before a potential post-bye Lawrence return.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/12/24

November 12th, 2024 at 7:09pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s practice squad moves:

Atlanta Falcons

Carolina Panthers

  • Released: LB Cam Johnson

Dallas Cowboys

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

New York Giants

San Francisco 49ers

Tennessee Titans

The Falcons have added a notable name to their special teams corps in Jakeem Grant. The long-time Dolphins returner has collected six ST touchdowns in his career (four via punts, two via kickoffs), and he’s even hauled in 100 catches. However, the veteran hasn’t seen the field since the 2021 campaign while spending the past few years on Cleveland’s practice squad.

With Dak Prescott done for the season, the Cowboys have added some extra QB depth. In comes old friend Will Grier, who spent the 2021 and 2022 campaigns in Dallas. The former third-round pick has since bounced around the NFL, including stops with the Bengals, Patriots, and Chargers in just 2023. Grier still only has two career appearances on his resume, both coming with the Panthers in 2019.

The Texans have added some experienced OL depth in Cameron Erving. The veteran is coming off a 2023 campaign where he started two of his three appearances for the Saints, and he barely played in 11 appearances with the Panthers in 2022. Still, the 32-year-old brings 98 games (58 starts) of experience to Houston, a factor that could be valuable down the stretch. To make room on the practice squad, the Texans moved on from cornerback Desmond King. The veteran has only seen time in one game for Houston this season, although he’s not far removed from a 2022 campaign where he started 13 games for the Texans.

Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence Could Miss Remainder Of Season

November 10th, 2024 at 8:05am CST by Rory Parks

Earlier this week, it was reported that Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence was likely to miss his club’s Week 10 matchup with the Vikings today. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com confirms that Lawrence will indeed be sidelined for the Minnesota contest, and it is possible that the former No. 1 overall pick will be out for the remainder of the season.

As Rapoport details, Lawrence has a significant AC joint sprain. The ailment is to his left (non-throwing) shoulder, though it can make throwing, and even basic functioning, difficult. While the current plan is for the Clemson product to simply rest and rehab the injury, surgery remains a distinct possibility. 

Such a decision would naturally force Lawrence to miss the balance of the 2024 campaign. Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports that the 25-year-old passer is still gathering information about his options, one of which includes a premature end to his season.

If Lawrence is unable to suit up again in 2024, it would likely not have too much of an impact on Jacksonville’s immediate fortunes. The 2-7 outfit has almost no chance of qualifying for the playoffs, and the Jags will therefore want to be extra cautious with their high-priced signal-caller, who signed a five-year, $275MM extension in June. 

However, should the losses continue to pile up, it becomes even more likely that head coach Doug Pederson and GM Trent Baalke will be fired. Owner Shad Khan voiced his support for both men last month, but Khan also called this year’s roster the best in franchise history, and as the club has struggled even with its QB1 in the lineup, it would not be a surprise if Khan opted for an organizational overhaul.

Mac Jones, an offseason trade acquisition, will get the call in Lawrence’s absence. The former first-round pick of the Patriots, who finished second in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting in 2021, saw the early stages of his career undermined by New England’s coaching and schematic maneuvers the following season. With the Pats holding the No. 3 overall pick in this year’s draft and wanting to start afresh with a new coaching regime and a new quarterback, Jones was dealt to his native Jacksonville in exchange for a sixth-round pick.

Now 26, Jones did have to hold off C.J. Beathard for the Jags’ backup gig over the summer (Beathard is now back on the team after Jacksonville recently signed him from the Dolphins’ taxi squad in the wake of Lawrence’s injury). Jones has thrown just nine passes this season, but he is in a contract year, and he could have a real chance to build some momentum down the stretch as he tries to position himself for at least a shot at a starting gig somewhere in 2025.

Jaguars Activate WR Devin Duvernay, S Andrew Wingard

November 9th, 2024 at 2:23pm CST by Ely Allen

The Jaguars are getting some reinforcements this week. At 2-7 in the basement of the AFC South, it seems likely that a run for the playoffs is not in the cards for 2024. Still, as injuries continue to beleaguer Jacksonville, they’ll take all the help they can get. That help comes today in the form of safety Andrew Wingard and return man Devin Duvernay, who are being activated from injured reserve.

The Jaguars knew Wingard would be unavailable early in the season after the veteran safety suffered a knee injury in training camp. At the time, Jacksonville was hosting a position battle between Antonio Johnson and Terrell Edmunds for the starting safety spot next to Andre Cisco to open the year. Edmunds ended up on the practice squad and eventually was re-signed by the Steelers, who drafted him in the first round in 2018. Johnson and Darnell Savage have worked together to fill in the starting safety spots with Cisco.

Wingard provides some starting depth in the secondary. He’s not a full-time starter for the team but did start 15 games for the team in 2021. He’s started 26 games in his five seasons in Jacksonville. While he’s not necessarily a gamechanger, the Jaguars will take any help they can help for a defense that ranks 29th in points allowed, 30th in yards allowed, and 31st in passing yards allowed.

Duvernay’s influence is solely on special teams. While he did have a couple decent receiving contributions during his time in Baltimore, his experience in his first year with the Jaguars has come with minimal time on offense. Despite having missed the last four games, Duvernay still leads the team with a combined 12 kickoff and punt returns.

During Duvernay’s absence, though, the Jaguars may have found someone more worthy of the role. A sixth-round pick from last year, Parker Washington has been electric in the return game for Jacksonville. A 96-yard punt return for a touchdown easily pushes Washington’s yardage and per return average over Duvernay’s. On kick returns both Washington and running back Tank Bigsby average more yards per return than Duvernay, though Bigsby may not be an option with Travis Etienne‘s recent injuries.

The Jaguars have a lot of work to do if they have any hopes of making a run here to end the season. As injuries continue to plague the team in Duval, seeing players become healthy and add depth is crucial.

Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence Unlikely To Play In Week 10

November 7th, 2024 at 10:52am CST by Adam La Rose

Trevor Lawrence is dealing with an injury to his non-throwing shoulder, and it could lead to missed time. The Jaguars’ franchise quarterback will likely be out for Week 10, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports.

Lawrence is weighing his options at this point and is currently considered day to day. If he were to miss Jacksonville’s next game, it would mark only the second time in his career he was unable to suit up for a contest. Surgery could be a consideration down the road, but Rapoport adds nothing is imminent on that front.

Injuries were an issue for much of last season in Lawrence’s case, and his play when on the field did match expectations as Jacksonville fell short of a postseason berth. The 2024 campaign has also not gone according to plan, and with a 2-7 record the Jags are once again on track to miss the playoffs. A cautious approach with respect to Lawrence’s recovery process would thus come as no surprise.

The former No. 1 pick’s passer rating for 2024 (87.9) is the lowest mark of his career since his rookie season, and his 11:6 touchdown-to-interception ratio leaves plenty to be desired. Jacksonville’s offense is already notably shorthanded with wideout Christian Kirk out for the season, and the unit would face an even steeper challenge against the Vikings if Lawrence were to be sidelined as well. Given the latter’s $55MM-per-year extension worked out this offseason, a long-term outlook with respect to his recovery would be sensible.

Provided Lawrence does indeed miss out for Week 10, Mac Jones will be in line to get the start in his place. The offseason trade acquisition has played only 17 snaps so far this year, but that could change in the immediate future. Jacksonville reunited with C.J. Beathard yesterday, a move which gives the team depth under center if needed. Lawrence’s status over the coming days and (especially if surgery does become a possibility) beyond will be worth following closely.

Jaguars Sign C.J. Beathard From Dolphins’ Practice Squad

November 6th, 2024 at 8:00pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Jaguars signed C.J. Beathard to their 53-man roster from the Dolphins’ practice squad on Wednesday, adding quarterback depth with Trevor Lawrence‘s status for Week 10 in question.

Lawrence played all of Jacksonville’s Week 9 loss to the Eagles but required some medical attention during halftime after taking a hit, according to ESPN’s Michael DiRocco. He was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice with his left shoulder listed on the injury report. Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said it was too early to prognosticate about Lawrence’s availability for Sunday’s matchup with the Vikings, per DiRocco.

Beathard will be insurance if Lawrence can’t play, backing up Mac Jones who will start under center. Jones was traded to Jacksonville by the Patriots this offseason and has appeared in garbage time of two of the Jaguars’ losses this year, completing six of his nine passing attempts for 28 yards.

Beathard spent training camp with the Jaguars and competed with Jones for the backup quarterback gig before injuring his groin in the team’s preseason finale. He was released with an injury settlement and found a new home on the Dolphins’ practice squad in October with Tua Tagovailoa still on injured reserve. Beathard appeared in seven games for the Jaguars in 2023, completing 40 of his 53 passing attempts for 349 yards and one touchdown.

The Jaguars also designated Devin Duvernay for return from injured reserve, opening his 21-day practice window. Duvernay served as Jacksonville’s primary returner with minimal involvement in the offense until he injured his hamstring in Week 5. Parker Washington and Tank Bigsby have split returning duties in his absence, but Duvernay will likely reclaim the job once he’s back on the active roster. He has three weeks to practice with the team before he must be activated or revert to season-ending IR.

2024 NFL Trades

November 5th, 2024 at 10:06pm CST by Sam Robinson

We have reached the 2024 trade deadline, which came one week later than the league’s usual endpoint. An offseason measure to move the deadline back one week passed, sliding the deadline beyond Week 9 after it had resided the Tuesday following Week 8 since 2012. That opened the door to more activity this year.

The 2024 offseason also featured extensive work, as teams added starters and depth pieces. Here are the trades involving veteran players (or rookies already drafted) to take place this year:

March 4

Bears chose defensive end Austin Booker at No. 144

March 9

Broncos sent Seahawks No. 136, included 203 in trade with Jets for QB Zach Wilson

March 10

Patriots chose QB Joe Milton at 193

March 11

Bucs drafted WR Jalen McMillan at No. 92; Lions traded No. 201 to Eagles

Panthers traded down from No. 39, giving Rams access to DT Braden Fiske; team moved No. 141 in Bills deal that sent WR Xavier Legette to Carolina. Giants chose RB Tyrone Tracy at 166.

March 12

Bengals chose DB Daijahn Anthony at No. 224 

March 13

Texans traded No. 232 to Vikings

Ravens chose WR Devontez Walker at No. 113, QB Devin Leary at 218; Jets drafted RB Braelon Allen at 134

March 14

Commanders traded Nos. 78, 152 to Eagles in trade that sent CB Cooper DeJean to Philadelphia; Seahawks moved down from No. 102, drafted G Sataoa Laumea at 179

Bolts traded No. 110 to Patriots 

March 15

Steelers chose LB Payton Wilson at No. 98; Eagles traded No. 120 to Dolphins in package that brought back 2025 third-rounder

March 16

Fields must play in 51% of Steelers’ offensive snaps for pick to elevate from sixth to fourth round

March 22

Chiefs traded No. 221 to Bills; Titans chose OLB Jaylen Harrell at 252

March 29

Pick would have become second-rounder had Reddick played 67.5% of Jets’ 2024 defensive snaps and recorded at least 10 sacks. Reddick’s holdout ensured Philly’s pick will land in Round 3.

April 3

Texans dealt No. 189 to Lions for Nos. 205, 249

April 12

Browns chose CB Myles Harden at No. 227

April 22

In trade that gave Vikings J.J. McCarthy draft real estate at No. 10 overall, Jets sent No. 203 to Minnesota; Broncos chose C Nick Gargiulo at 256

April 27

May 9

August 9

August 11

August 14

Dallas carried Phillips on its active roster for two games, meeting minimum requirement for conditional sixth to transfer

August 22

Pick did not convey due to Commanders cutting York before he played in two games with team

August 23

August 24

August 26

August 27

August 28

October 14

October 15

Pick would upgrade to second-rounder if Adams earns first- or second-team All-Pro recognition or is on Jets’ active roster for 2024 AFC championship game or Super Bowl LIX

October 23

Pick would become fourth-rounder if Hopkins both plays 60% of Chiefs’ remaining offensive snaps and Kansas City advances to Super Bowl LIX

October 28

October 29

Robinson’s playing time will determine if Jags pick climbs to a fourth-rounder and whether Vikings will end up receiving 2026 seventh

November 4

November 5

Sixth-rounder going to New Orleans comes from pick Saints sent Commanders for John Ridgeway 

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/5/24

November 5th, 2024 at 6:40pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s practice squad moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Carolina Panthers

Houston Texans

Jacksonville Jaguars

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Tennessee Titans

Jaguars Release Veteran S Tashaun Gipson

November 4th, 2024 at 6:44pm CST by Ely Allen

Shortly after releasing Rayshawn Jenkins near the opening of free agency, the Jaguars signed a potential replacement in veteran safety Tashaun Gipson. Unfortunately, Gipson will not be able to stretch his second stint in Jacksonville to the field as the Jaguars announced his release today from the exempt/commissioner’s permission list.

Gipson was placed on the list in preparation to return from a six-game suspension levied by the NFL for violating the league’s policy against performance-enhancing drugs. Some posited that, at 34 years old, Gipson might avoid the suspension altogether by retiring after 12 seasons in the league, but Gipson made it clear that he would not appeal the suspension and had intentions to play in 2024.

An undrafted free agent out of Wyoming for the Browns in 2012, Gipson almost immediately found his place in the NFL becoming a full-time starter and intercepting five passes in 2013. The following year, Gipson made his only Pro Bowl, leading the NFL with 158 interception return yards. That yardage came off six picks in just 11 games. Since then, Gipson has played full-time starting roles with the Jaguars, Texans, Bears, and most recently, the 49ers. His 33 career interceptions rank fourth among active defenders behind only Patrick Peterson (36), Tyrann Mathieu (35), and Harrison Smith (35).

The Jaguars were hoping to pair Gipson with Andre Cisco at safety, but knowing that he’d miss at least six games, they figured to use fellow Wyoming alum Andrew Wingard as a starter in the interim. Unfortunately, a knee injury in August landed Wingard on injured reserve, where he’s remained to this day. With Wingard and Gipson out, Jacksonville has split time between Antonio Johnson and Darnell Savage next to Cisco with less than satisfactory results.

The release of Gipson is interesting as the team ranks 31st in the NFL in passing yards allowed through nine weeks. Even if he’s a step slower at 34, one would think that Gipson would be an immediate upgrade next to Cisco. Sitting in the AFC South basement at 2-7, the Jaguars may be accepting their lot for the 2024 season. With eyes towards the future, an aging veteran on a one-year contract doesn’t really fit into the picture.

Additionally, Jacksonville announced that offensive guard Cooper Hodges has been placed on IR, opening up a spot on the 53-man roster. A seventh-round pick last year out of Appalachian State, Hodges made his NFL debut this year after spending his rookie year on IR. After appearing in all nine games and making his first career start last week, Hodges suffered a serious leg injury on a two-point conversion attempt, getting carted off the field and transported to the hospital.

Steelers, Jaguars Discussed WR Christian Kirk Trade

November 2nd, 2024 at 9:50pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Steelers have yet to make a major receiver addition in 2024, but the team continues to be linked to several pursuits on that front. A number of targets have emerged with respect to a potential trade, and Christian Kirk appears to have been one as well prior to his season-ending injury.

The Steelers had Kirk on their radar before he suffered a broken collarbone, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Taking things a step further, ESPN’s Adam Schefter adds a “reasonable chance” existed that Pittsburgh was going to land him given the status of negotiations. Now, of course, the team’s attention will need to turn elsewhere.

Kirk consistently found himself in trade rumors this year, despite the fact he is under contract for 2025. None of his base salary for that year is guaranteed, so an adjustment of some kind could have been in the cards for an acquiring team. Instead, the 27-year-old will aim to recover in time for the start of next year, which will be his fourth in Jacksonville.

After failing to land Brandon Aiyuk during the summer, the Steelers have been connected to many other pass-catching options. Connections were made to the likes of Davante Adams and Cooper Kupp leading up to the trade deadline, with the same being true of a more realistic target like Mike Williams. The Jets may be more inclined to retain Williams with Allen Lazard on injured reserve, but even in that event other wideouts could still be available. A recent report indicated Pittsburgh is also interested in the Broncos’ Courtland Sutton and the Giants’ Darius Slayton, no strangers to trade speculation.

The above-referenced report from Schefter indicated that the Steelers, who are leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of a WR upgrade, are also interested in the Panthers’ Adam Thielen. Thielen has been on IR since late September due to a hamstring injury, but his practice window was recently opened. As a a 34-year-old receiver on a Carolina outfit in the early stages of a rebuild, playing on a thru-2025 contract that contains no guarantees after the current campaign, Thielen is an obvious trade candidate.

Questions were raised during the offseason about the Steelers’ WR room after Diontae Johnson was traded away and Allen Robinson was released. The likes of Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins and Scotty Miller were added as depth options on the free agent market. Those newcomers are joined in the organization by third-round rookie Roman Wilson, who has been limited to only one game so far and was placed on injured reserve earlier this week.

That has left an increased workload available to Calvin Austin, who has seen nearly as many targets through eight games in 2024 (25) as he did in 17 contests last year (30). The 2022 fourth-rounder has averaged 18.4 yards per catch, making him a capable vertical threat to complement George Pickens. Austin has also had success as a punt returner, headlined by last week’s special teams touchdown against the Giants.

With just under $10MM in cap space, the Steelers could afford to be in the market for a wideout addition and Schefter’s report adds the team is not expected to stop seeking a trade partner in the wake of the potential Kirk deal falling through. Pittsburgh’s offense could stand to see an uptick in efficiency in the passing game, something which could of course take place with an extended run for Russell Wilson at quarterback. His list of pass-catching options could nevertheless still expand in the near future.

Rory Parks contributed to this post.

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