Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s status for an important Week 16 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has been up in the air, with the Clemson product working his way through the concussion protocol this week after sustaining a head injury late in Sunday’s Week 15 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
On Saturday, Lawrence took an important step toward playing against the Buccaneers, as he cleared the concussion protocol and will travel with the Jaguars to Tampa, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The team confirmed the report later on Saturday.
Rapoport stopped short of saying that Lawrence will start under center for the Jaguars on Sunday, although that is the likeliest scenario.
Lawrence entered the concussion protocol after the Jaguars’ loss to the Ravens this past Sunday night, with coach Doug Pederson telling the media the injury likely occurred during the fourth quarter.
(AP Photo/John Raoux)
Lawrence missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday, with reports indicating he was unlikely to suit up against the Bucs. But Lawrence returned to the field in a limited fashion Friday, with Pederson putting his chances of suiting up at “better than a coin flip.” Lawrence’s Week 16 status essentially hinged on his ability to be cleared by the team’s independent neurological consultant, the final step to returning to action after progressing through the five-step protocol process.
Lawrence did so and will now likely be on the field for the Jaguars (8—6), who are looking to halt a three-game losing streak with the AFC South title still up for grabs.
Kickoff between the Jags and Buccaneers (7–7) is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.
