Trevor Lawrence’s 2024 season likely came to a premature end on Wednesday.
The Jaguars’ standout suffered a brutal injury on Sunday, falling victim to an Azeez Al-Shaair forearm to the head in Jacksonville’s 23-20 defeat to the Texans. Lawrence, who was carted off the field after displaying the fencing response typically associated with head injuries, was soon diagnosed with a concussion.
On Wednesday, the nature of his absence was laid bare for all to see. Lawrence was officially placed on injured reserve, all but assuring that his fourth year in teal and gold was finished.
Here’s what you need to know about the particulars of Lawrence’s injury and projected absence.
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How long is Trevor Lawrence out?
The Jaguars placed Lawrence on injured reserve on Wednesday, effectively pulling the plug on the fourth-year signal-caller’s season.
Lawrence suffered a concussion after absorbing a crushing shot to the head from Texans LB Al-Shaair while sliding to the ground on Sunday. Al-Shaair was handed a three-game ban for his antics.
Despite the injury, it seems the decision to move Lawrence to IR was motivated more by issues he had with his left shoulder than anything else. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Lawrence is expected to have surgery on the AC joint injury he suffered in his non-throwing shoulder. That ailment left Lawrence out of Doug Pederson’s lineup for two games earlier in the year — losses to Minnesota and Detroit.
By placing Lawrence on IR, Jacksonville ensures that its long-term gunslinger misses out its next four contests.
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Theoretically, Lawrence could return to the fold for the Jags’ season finale against Indianapolis. With Jacksonville currently projected to receive the first-overall pick, it seems unlikely that the franchise would give the reins back to its star QB for a one-off — especially if that one-off could jeopardize its draft stock.
Lawrence finished his 2024 campaign with a 2-8 record across 10 starts. He completed 60.6 percent of his passes, tallying 2,045 passing yards and 11 passing touchdowns to seven interceptions. The Jaguars’ struggles weren’t entirely of his own doing. Head coach Doug Peterson has come under the microscope in recent weeks, with his schematic shortcomings, questionable personnel moves, and inability to coax more out of his roster — which finished above .500 in each of the past two seasons — looking likely to condemn him to unemployment come the end of the year.
Still, Lawrence took a step back during his fourth year in northeastern Florida. His completion percentage dropped to its lowest mark since his rookie season, and he posted a passer rating below league average.
Trevor Lawrence stats 2024
| CMP-ATT | CMP% | YDS | PASS TDs | INT | SACK | RTG | RUSHES | RUSH YDS | RUSH TDs |
| 172-284 | 60.3 | 2,045 | 11 | 7 | 18 | 85.2 | 26 | 119 | 3 |
Trevor Lawrence contract details
- Years: 5
- Value: $275 million
- AAV: $55 million
Lawrence inked a five-year, $275 million contract extension with the Jaguars during the offseason. His deal doesn’t actually kick in until the 2025 season, though. Lawrence earned $37 million this year, but he will see his average annual value (AAV) leap to $55 million in 2025.
Of the $275 million Lawrence is set to receive, $200 million of it is guaranteed. He pocketed $142 million of that total at the time of his signing.
Once Lawrence’s contract kicks in, he’ll join Joe Burrow and Jordan Love as the second-highest-paid hurlers in the league, trailing only Cowboys star Dak Prescott, per Spotrac.
Jaguars QB depth chart
| Rank | Player |
| 1 | Mac Jones |
| 2 | John Rhys Plumlee |
With Lawrence out for the foreseeable future, Mac Jones will take on starting responsibilities. The former first-round pick has thrown for 512 yards and two touchdowns to three interceptions across five appearances this season.
It’s not the first time this season the Jaguars have called on their second-string slinger. Lawrence has dealt with an AC joint sprain since early November, the second time he’s suffered the injury in his NFL career. This forced him to miss the team’s past two contests.
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