Trevor Lawrence leaves Jacksonville Jaguars' MNF game with ankle injury
Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence got his right ankle inadvertently stepped on by Jaguars tackle Walker Little as he was bent over backwards when he was sacked on third down by Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson during the fourth quarter of Jacksonville's 34-31 overtime loss.
Lawrence was in visible pain after the sack and then slammed his helmet down as the stunned Jacksonville crowd looked on in disbelief. Both Jaguars and Bengals players showed their concern as Lawrence was writhing in pain.
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The Jaguars quarterback was eventually assisted off the field and to the team’s locker room.
Lawrence had 259 passing yards and two touchdowns at the time of his exit with 5:43 left in the fourth quarter. Jaguars kicker Brandon McManus missed a 48-yard field goal on the ensuing play.
The ESPN broadcast said shortly after the injury that Lawrence was in the X-ray room, with the Jaguars announcing that he was questionable to return with an ankle injury.
C.J. Beathard replaced Lawrence at quarterback and finished the game for Jacksonville.
Lawrence's initial diagnosis revealed an ankle sprain, a personal familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports. They spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. Lawrence will undergo an MRI on Tuesday.
"We're still evaluating him," Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said postgame. "He'll have more tests and things done here tonight and tomorrow."
Lawrence is the latest big-name quarterback to sustain an injury this season. Aaron Rodgers (Achilles), Kirk Cousins (Achilles), Deshaun Watson (shoulder), Anthony Richardson (shoulder), Joe Burrow (wrist), Daniel Jones (knee) and Kenny Pickett (ankle) have all gone down with injuries.
Monday's loss dropped the Jaguars to 8-4 on the season. The AFC South-leading Jaguars are a game ahead of the Indianapolis Colts (7-5) and Houston Texans (7-5) in the loss column.