Bucs Gameday

Major Update Revealed on Trevor Lawrence's Playing Status Sunday Against Buccaneers

This matchup between the Jaguars (first in the AFC South) and Buccaneers (first in the NFC South) will be much more exciting with both quarterbacks healthy and in the lineup.

Collin Haalboom

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After sustaining a hard hit late in the fourth quarter of the Jaguars' week 15 game vs. the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night, Jacksonville Jaguars' star quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, was placed in the NFL's concussion protocol.

On Thursday, with Lawrence still in protocol and unable to join his teammates on the practice field, it appeared as though he would be unlikely to be cleared in time to travel with his teammates to Tampa Bay to take on the Buccaneers this Sunday.

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Although Lawrence was able to get in a light throwing session during the team's practice on Friday, there was still considerable doubt that he would be cleared in time to be named the starter for the team's critical week 16 matchup with the Buccaneers.

Well, apparently the Jags' quarterback is good to go, after all.

On Saturday afternoon, NFL insider, Ian Rapoport broke the news that Lawrence has cleared concussion protocol and will be in the lineup for the Jaguars on Christmas Eve. 

It's a huge development for the Jaguars, who were preparing to have journeyman backup, C.J. Beathard, under center vs. the Bucs. Which, in all due respect, would have provided the Buccaneers with a much easier path to taking down the Jaguars. 

But with the Buccaneers' offense coming off their best performance of the season — in a performance that earned Baker Mayfield NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors — there's no question that this matchup between the Jaguars (first in the AFC South) and Buccaneers (first in the NFC South) will be much more exciting with both quarterbacks healthy and in the lineup.

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Collin Haalboom
COLLIN HAALBOOM

Prior to joining BucsGameday and Sports Illustrated, Collin's written content was provided through Bucs Banter, and NFL Draft Lounge. He is also the creator and host of the Bucs Banter Podcast. He is a graduate of the Communication Studies program at McMaster University, where he was also a varsity basketball player, and later an advanced scout. He lives with his wife and two children in Hamilton, ON. You can follow Collin on YouTube and Twitter.