Trevor Lawrence Clears Concussion Protocol, Will Start vs. Tampa Bay; Texans Impact?

The Jacksonville Jaguars, who are in a tight race with the Houston Texans for the AFC South, will get Trevor Lawrence back this week vs. the Tampa Bay Buccanneers

Matt Galatzan | Dec 23, 2023

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Houston Texans

The Houston Texans are in a three-way tie with the Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars for the AFC South Division lead heading into Week 16.

Fortunately for the Jaguars, they got some huge injury news on Saturday, with star quarterback Trevor Lawrence clearing concussion protocol, per a team announcement.

Lawrence sustained his concussion in the team's Week 15 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, throwing his status for Week 16 vs. the Buccaneers into serious doubt.

Trevor Lawrence, Ross Blacklock, Desmond King — © Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

However, Lawrence, who has thrown for 3,525 yards with 18 touchdowns and 10 interceptions and rushed for 300 yards with four TDs, defied those odds and will suit up and start on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Texans will be without their own star QB C.J. Stroud for the second consecutive week due to a concussion. Stroud suffered his injury in the Week 14 blowout loss to the New York Jets.

Unlike Lawrence, however, his symptoms have lingered as he remains in protocol for yet another week.

Texans Rule Stroud OUT vs. Browns

As a result, the Texans will be forced to go to veteran backup QB Case Keenum against the Cleveland Browns, who field the NFL's No. 1 ranked defense.

Keenum guided the Texans to an overtime win over the Titans last week. That said, the offense managed just 19 points, including three first-half points against a defense that ranks in the bottom half of the NFL.

In other words, the Jaguars may have just gained a major advantage over the Texans in the AFC South's playoff picture with just three games remaining on the schedule for each team.

Published Dec 23, 2023

MATT GALATZAN

Matt Galatzan the Editor-In-Chief of TexansDaily.com. Galatzan graduated from the University of Mississippi, where he studied integrated marketing communications, with minors in journalism and business administration. Galatzan started in the sports journalism industry under Mike Fisher at DallasBasketball.com in 2014, which at the time was part of the 247Sports network. He also spent two years covering the SMU Mustangs for PonyStampede.com on the 247Sports network. When DallasBasketball.com and CowboysCountry.com moved over to Sports Illustrated's Fan Nation network in 2020, Galatzan followed suit, eventually being taking over as the Managing Editor and Publisher of LonghornsCountry.com and AllAggies.com a year later. Through the years, Galatzan has conducted a handful of high-profile one-on-one interviews to add to his resume — in both writing and podcasting. Some of his biggest interviews have been with Mavs owner Mark Cuban, former Longhorns players Dan Neil and Phil Dawson, and many other recruits, and current/former players for each of the teams he has covered. Galatzan is also a full-time employee in the digital media department for Audacy and KRLD FM's 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, which is the official radio home of the Dallas Cowboys. You can find Galatzan on all major social media channels. For any inquiries, please email matt.galatzan@gmail.com