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Michael DiRocco, ESPN Staff Writer
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence suffered a right ankle injury late in the fourth quarter of Monday night’s 34-31 overtime loss to the Cincinnati Bengals and did not return.
Initial tests showed that Lawrence sprained the ankle, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. He is scheduled to undergo additional testing to determine the extent of the injury and how much time he could miss.
Lawrence was hurt when left tackle Walker Little was pushed backward and stepped on Lawrence’s ankle, which then appeared to get caught underneath him when he fell to the ground. Lawrence tried to get up, then went down to his knees and slammed his helmet on the ground in frustration. He was assisted from the field by medical personnel and needed the help of a person underneath each arm as he walked toward the Jaguars’ locker room and X-ray area.
Jaguars coach Doug Pederson did not have an update on Lawrence after the game. The quarterback was using crutches in the locker room and was not made available to the media.
If Lawrence is out for any amount of time, backup C.J. Beathard would take his place.
Beathard — who coming into Monday had thrown just 17 passes in two-plus seasons with the Jaguars — took over for Lawrence with 2:28 remaining in the fourth quarter. He completed 9 of 10 passes for 63 yards and led a Jaguars drive that culminated in a score-tying field goal to force overtime.
“We’ll see where Trevor’s at first, but we’ve got 100% confidence in C.J.,” Pederson said. “He’s a veteran player. He’s played a lot of football, and if he happens to be the guy then we’ll get behind him and support him.”
If Beathard starts next Sunday at Cleveland, it would be his first start since Week 16 of the 2020 season with San Francisco.
“Trevor’s my best friend on the team and when you see him go down like that [it’s tough],” Beathard said. “I’ve been here three years and he’s battled through all types of injuries, little things here and there, and to see him have to get carried off the field, it hurts.”
Beathard said Lawrence was “in good spirits” in the locker room after the game and added “obviously he’s sore right now.”
It’s the second time this season Lawrence has left a game because of an injury. He suffered a sprained left knee late in the Jaguars’ Week 3 win over Indianapolis, but didn’t miss a start and led Jacksonville to victory against New Orleans four days later on Thursday Night Football.
Lawrence has started all 46 possible games since being drafted No. 1 in 2021, tied for the third-longest active start streak among quarterbacks, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. Buffalo‘s Josh Allen (83) and the Chargers‘ Justin Herbert (61) own the two longest streaks, while Lawrence is tied with Kansas City‘s Patrick Mahomes.
Lawrence was one of five Jaguars players to exit Monday night’s game with an injury. Nickel back Tre Herndon was evaluated for a concussion after the second play of the game and later ruled out, and receiver Christian Kirk injured his groin on the Jaguars’ first offensive snap after making a 26-yard catch.
Kirk — who entered the game as the Jaguars’ receiving yards leader (761) and second in receptions (56) — hit the ground hard and, after being down for several moments, was assisted off the field and taken to the locker room.
Safety Andre Cisco (shoulder), defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi (ankle) and Little (hamstring) were also injured. Only Cisco returned to the game.
Pederson said he would have updates on their conditions Tuesday.
“It’s full steam ahead,” Pederson said. “We’ve got to get the guys that are hurt treated and we’ve got to get the next guy ready to go.”
Source: www.espn.com