The Cleveland Browns might face a severely depleted Jacksonville Jaguars team in Week 14.
Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk suffered a core muscle injury in Jacksonville’s Week 13 overtime loss to the Cincinnati Bengals and will likely miss “some time,” according to head coach Doug Pederson.
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence, meanwhile, suffered a high-ankle sprain that forced him to leave Week 13, per Pederson. The Jaguars coach refused to rule Lawrence out of this week’s game, though and the quarterback is reportedly trying to rehab quickly enough to suit up, according to The Athletics Jeff Howe.
Kirk’s absence will be huge for a Browns secondary that allowed 240 passing yards this past week to the Los Angeles Rams. The Jaguars have a solid collection of pass-catchers but Kirk ranked first on the team in targets and yards and second in receptions before his injury. Whoever starts at quarterback for Jacksonville will still have receivers Calvin Ridley and Zay Jones as well as tight end Evan Engram.
Lawrence’s availability would be even more significant. If he can’t play, backup C.J. Beathard would likely start in his place. Beathard wasn’t awful in relief Monday night: He completed 9-of-10 passing attempts for 63 yards after he came in for Lawrence late in the fourth quarter. Beathard led a field goal drive to send the game to overtime but failed to lead a scoring drive in the extra period.
But a Beathard-led team is not nearly as daunting as one with Lawrence under center. And the Browns’ defense is in serious need of a rebound week after arguably its worst all-around performance against the Rams. A win over Jacksonville would go along way in Cleveland’s playoff push as well.
