Doug Pederson reveals Trevor Lawrence suffered high-ankle sprain in loss vs Bengals

Following an MRI on Tuesday, the diagnosis for Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence is a high-ankle sprain, according to head coach Doug Pederson. Pederson also shared that the former first-rounder is essentially day-to-day, saying the team will “see how he looks” this week. The Jaguars play the Cleveland Browns on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. Asked specifically about Sunday’s game, the head coach wouldn’t provide a prospective timeline for Lawrence’s return.

NFL insider Mike Garafolo reported on Tuesday morning that his ankle “isn’t bad,” which means he could possibly return to action in Week 14.

Lawrence sustained the injury after getting his right ankle stepped on by his own offensive lineman while standing in the pocket. Lawrence needed assistance getting to his feet before collapsing back down to the ground. The 24-year-old slammed his helmet in frustration before being helped off the field and taken into the locker room for further examination.

With Lawrence sidelined, Jacksonville turned to veteran backup C.J. Beathard. Unfortunately for the Jaguars, Beathard was unable to lead the team to victory. The Bengals defeated the Jaguars, 34-31, after Evan McPherson nailed a 48-yard game-winning field goal in overtime.

Prior to his exit from the game, Lawrence had 22 completions on 29 attempts for 258 yards and two touchdowns. The former Clemson star hasn’t missed a game yet since entering the league in 2021. So far this season, Lawrence has 3,004 passing yards, 248 rushing yards and 18 total touchdowns with seven interceptions.

Jaguars fall to Jake Browning-led Bengals

Although the Jaguars were the favorites to win on Monday night, especially without quarterback Joe Burrow, the Bengals offense managed to find rhythm against them. Backup quarterback Jake Browning went 32-for-37 for 354 yards and one touchdown while taking just two sacks against the menacing Jaguars’ front.

Browning also added 22 yards on two carries and a score on the ground. He didn’t do it all himself, of course, as star wideout Ja’Marr Chase contributed with 11 receptions for 149 yards and a score. Tee Higgins added three catches for 36 yards.

The Jaguars succumbed to a brutal overtime loss to the Bengals on Monday Night Football but the hurt over the loss didn’t stop Travis Etienne Jr. from linking up with one of his former teammates after the game. Etienne and Tee Higgins, former teammates at Clemson, exchanged jerseys after the game that ended with a field goal for the Bengals in overtime.

The two former Tigers hadn’t played each other yet despite entering the league in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Etienne missed his first season with the Jaguars after suffering a Lisfranc injury and therefore, did not play when the Bengals beat Jacksonville in 2021.