Trevor Lawrence will not play for the Jaguars against the Vikings because of shoulder injury in major blow

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence will reportedly not play on Sunday because of an injury to his non-throwing shoulder.

Backup Mac Jones is expected to start against the Minnesota Vikings in Florida instead.

It will be Jones’ first start in nearly a year, with the last one coming while he played for New England.

Lawrence took a hit to his shoulder while scrambling on a second-and-nine play in the second quarter at Philadelphia last Sunday.

Instead of sliding, Lawrence chose to go head-first and got hammered by linebacker Zack Baun.

Lawrence took a hit to his shoulder during the second quarter at Philadelphia last Sunday

The Jaguars signed veteran backup C.J. Beathard off Miami’s practice squad earlier this week as an insurance policy in case Lawrence doesn’t play against the Vikings.

Lawrence has been limited in practice all week but Adam Schefter reported on Saturday night that he will not be able to play.

The top pick in the 2021 draft, Lawrence missed a game for the first time in his professional career in 2023 because of a sprained right shoulder sustained in Week 16. 

He also missed significant practice time because of other injuries: a sprained left knee in Week 6, a sprained right ankle in Week 13 and a concussion in Week 15.

Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said he learned from last season that Lawrence needs to practice during the week to be fully effective in games.

‘If you’re not getting the reps during the week, it’s just hard to go,’ Pederson said.

‘And it is (the same) with any player, but I think the quarterback position is special.’