SoccerVibes

Unleashing the World of Soccer

Could the Jacksonville Jaguars end the season with Mac Jones playing quarterback?

After missing two games due to a left shoulder injury, Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence returned to the field on Sunday, hoping to break the team’s five-game losing streak. However, Lawrence didn’t make it to halftime, not due to the shoulder injury, but after a late hit by Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair knocked him into the NFL’s concussion protocol in the second quarter. This did not help end the losing streak, and Jacksonville’s 23-20 defeat to the Texans left them at 2-10 with five games remaining in the 2024 season.

If Lawrence isn’t fully healthy, the Jaguars may decide it’s not worth risking his health for the remainder of the year. “You’ve got to take everything into account and make a smart decision,” said Jaguars coach Doug Pederson on Monday. “We’ll have to make a thoughtful choice regarding his health, especially given where we stand as a team.”

If Lawrence has to sit out again, Mac Jones will likely take over. Jones replaced Lawrence in a 12-7 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on November 10 and a 52-6 loss to the Detroit Lions on November 17. The former Alabama star went 31-of-51 for 249 yards, with no touchdowns and three interceptions in those games.

Jones showed improvement in relief on Sunday, completing 20-of-32 passes for 235 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions, and rushing for 6 yards on three carries. “Mac played well,” Pederson said. “He got us back in the game.

Jacksonville was down 6-0 when Jones entered the game for a third-and-1 play at the Houston 45-yard line. The Jaguars managed a field goal to finish that drive. However, when they took over at their 28-yard line with 12:11 remaining, they were behind 23-6.

The Jaguars quickly responded with touchdown drives of 72 and 84 yards as Jones completed 13 of 18 passes for 134 yards, including two touchdowns and a 2-point conversion, cutting Houston’s lead to just three points with 3:31 left.

“Obviously, we went hurry-up,” Jones said. “So, we threw a lot of passes and had the chance to move the ball down the field.”

Pederson considered attempting an onside kick but chose to rely on the defense instead. However, the Texans secured two first downs with five handoffs to running back Joe Mixon and kept possession for the rest of the game.

Pederson remarked that Jacksonville’s offense had to rise above losing Lawrence to remain competitive.

“It takes a little wind out of your sails,” Pederson said. “But on the flip side, Mac came in and got us back in the game, so I’m proud of that, too.”

Al-Shaair’s hit on Lawrence, as he slid to a stop after a scramble, sparked a fight that led to two ejections.

“He’s a tough dude,” Jones said about Lawrence, “and really wanted to get the win for him. Unfortunately, we came up short. But we’re definitely praying for him.

“Sports are emotional, especially in moments like that. We came together as a team, fought hard for Trevor, but we couldn’t pull it off. Still, I’m proud of how the guys responded.”

Sunday’s touchdown passes were Jones’ first since he threw a 14-yard TD pass to tight end Hunter Henry in the New England Patriots’ 20-17 loss to the Washington Commanders on Nov. 5, 2023.

That was Jones’ 41st start in three seasons with the Patriots, but he was close to being benched and didn’t play in the final six games of 2023.

New England traded Jones to the Jaguars in March to serve as a backup.

Jacksonville’s next game is Sunday, when they face the Tennessee Titans in another AFC South matchup at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, at noon CST.

 

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *