Trevor Lawrence Planning To Start For Jaguars Against Browns

The Jags franchise QB will workout pregame to determine his official status for Week 14 but reports indicate he will attempt to play

When Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence exited Monday Night Football with an ankle injury last week, it looked as though the Cleveland Browns would be facing off with backup C.J. Beathard in Week 14.

Instead, Jacksonville is preparing for Lawrence to be under center despite suffering a high-ankle sprain just six days prior. Adam Schefter of ESPN reported over night that Lawrence is expected to be the likely start but that he'll workout pregame to test the injured angle and determine his status officially.

Jaguars are planning for Trevor Lawrence to start Sunday vs. the Browns, but need to work out the franchise quarterback in pregame warmups before making a final decision, per sources. Lawrence will be six days removed from a high ankle sprain -- an injury that typically sidelines…

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 10, 2023

Lawrence was more-and-more active at practice as the week progressed for Jacksonville. He started the week not practicing at all but was limited on Thursday and Friday and had a brace on his leg to provide added support for the ankle. The Clemson product is top 10 in passing yards, yards per attempt and completion percentage. Whether Lawrence plays or not, he will be missing his starting left tackle Walker Little, who's out with a hamstring injury. 

If it's determined that Lawrence can't play, Beathard would start in his place. Beathard is dealing with a shoulder injury himself but practiced fully to close out the week. In Lawrence absence against the Bengals, he completed nine-of-10 passes for 63 yards.

Meanwhile, the Browns received some good news Saturday as top wideout, Amari Cooper is expected to play after making it through the league's concussion protocol. Cooper left last week's game against the Rams with a head injury and was never cleared to return.

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) kneels after apparently injuring his ankle, which he had to leave the game, during the fourth quarter of a regular season NFL football matchup Monday, Dec. 4, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 34-31 in overtime :: © Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Unio / USA TODAY NETWORK

It's still unknown who will be throwing  the football to Cooper as head coach Kevin Stefanski declined to name a starting QB between veteran Joe Flacco or rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Cleveland's head man didn't rule out the idea that both QBs may see playing time as well.

 Unfortunately for whoever sees the majority of snaps, rookie right tackle Dawand Jones will be unavailable after injuring his knee late in the week. Three-year veteran James Hudson III will be the next man up in Jones' place.