"Monday Night Football" has not been kind to star players during the 2023 NFL season. In Week 1, Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers' season ended prematurely due to a torn Achilles. In Week 2, Browns running back Nick Chubb suffered a severe knee injury that knocked him out for the rest of the year as well.
The latest to fall victim to the injury bug on the big stage is Trevor Lawrence. The Jaguars quarterback suffered an injury late in their 34-31 overtime loss to the Bengals and was unable to return to the game.
Lawrence hobbled off the field with the help of Jacksonville's medical staff and was taken into the locker room while nursing an ankle injury. Many wondered why he wasn't given a cart as he went to the X-ray room and later emerged with crutches and a boot.
The Jaguars are still determining the extent of Lawrence's injury, but it seems like he could miss time as his team jockeys to try to win the AFC South. An MRI on Monday should tell fans more about his status moving forward.
Here's what to know about Lawrence's injury and how long he might be sidelined.
How long is Trevor Lawrence out?
Jaguars coach Doug Pederson confirmed Tuesday that Lawrence is dealing with a high-ankle sprain and the ankle is stable.
Jaguars HC Doug Pederson says QB Trevor Lawrence has a right high ankle sprain. Everything is stable, though, and team will see where he is in a couple days.
— Michael DiRocco (@ESPNdirocco) December 5, 2023
Pederson did not rule out Lawrence for the Jaguars' Week 14 game against the Browns, only telling reporters that Lawrence will be evaluated in a couple of days.
However, Lawrence seemed to indicate that he was open to sitting out if he's less than 100 percent for fear of hurting his team's chances of winning.
"I’ll never put myself or the team at higher risk that we aren’t going to do our best, because I can’t do my job," Lawrence told reporters at a news conference Wednesday after he was a non-participant at practice.
While Lawrence might still be unlikely to suit up against Cleveland, considering it's a short week for the Jaguars, the mere fact he hasn't been ruled out at this point is positive for his outlook going forward and reiterates that the injury isn't season-ending.
It's worth noting that Lawrence was unable to put weight on his ankle after leaving the X-ray room, per NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe. He was later seen utilizing both crutches and a walking boot in the Jacksonville locker room after the game.
The good news for Jaguars fans? Wolfe also reports that Lawrence was in "good spirits" and his teammates "left him smiling" after receiving an update about his injury.
Trevor Lawrence in the locker room with teammates telling them about his ankle injury. A couple left him smiling after update and he seems in good spirits. Nothing wrapped on his right ankle and he’s standing on his own on that ankle. He does have crutches on ground for support.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) December 5, 2023
If that wasn't enough of a good sign for Jaguars fans, then perhaps NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reporting that there is "optimism" that Lawrence's injury "isn't bad" will bring them comfort.
There’s optimism Trevor Lawrence’s injury (an ankle sprain, as @TomPelissero first reported last night) isn’t bad and that’s a credit to the #Jaguars QB’s flexibility. Not the first time he’s been rolled and avoided serious injury. This was last year. pic.twitter.com/N4ATyUKEtG
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) December 5, 2023
So, while Lawrence may still miss time, his injury isn't looking as bad as many feared it to be.
MORE: Breaking down the Jaguars QB depth chart after Trevor Lawrence's injury
What is Trevor Lawrence's injury?
Lawrence suffered an ankle injury in the fourth quarter of the Jaguars' "Monday Night Football" loss to the Bengals. It occurred after he was stepped on by his teammate, Walker Little, and proceeded to bend awkwardly while heading to the ground.
Lawrence attempted to get up after the play, but he quickly went back down, as he was unable to put any weight on his injured ankle. He slammed his helmet to the ground in frustration as medical staffers came to tend to his injury.
Jaguars’ QB Trevor Lawrence was helped to the locker room after injuring his ankle on this play: pic.twitter.com/P1uYmgth2w
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 5, 2023
Lawrence was initially deemed questionable to return, but he didn't play again. That, plus the frustration he displayed after the injury, led many to assume the worst.
But after the game, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported that the initial diagnosis for Lawrence's injury was an ankle sprain.
The initial diagnosis for #Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence is an ankle sprain, per sources. He'll have an MRI on Tuesday.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 5, 2023
If that injury is confirmed by an MRI, it will give Lawrence a chance to be back on the field in short order — depending on the severity of the injury.
MORE: How AFC South standings shake out after Jaguars' upset loss to Bengals
Ankle sprain recovery timeline in the NFL
The recovery time for an ankle sprain varies significantly depending on its severity.
Per Harvard Health Publishing, there are three categorizations of ankle sprains from Grade 1 to Grade 3. They are as follows:
| Severity | Damage to ligaments | Recovery timeline |
| Grade 1 | Minimal stretching, no tearing | 1-3 weeks |
| Grade 2 | Partial tear | 3-6 weeks |
| Grade 3 | Full tear or rupture | Up to several months |
It isn't yet clear which type of sprain Lawrence has suffered. However, it's noteworthy that Grade 1 sprains do not present difficulty bearing weight. The other two do.
Thus, it stands to reason that Lawrence may have suffered one of the more severe types of sprains given that he wasn't able to put much weight on his injured ankle in the locker room.
In any case, it seems like Lawrence is facing a potential multi-week absence, though his MRI on Monday will provide more clarity on his status moving forward.
POWER RANKINGS: Where Jaguars place among NFL's top teams entering Week 14
Trevor Lawrence injury updates
Dec. 4: Jaguars coach Doug Pederson does not provide an update on Lawrence's status. The quarterback is seen in the locker room using crutches and wearing a boot on his injured ankle. He is set to have an MRI Monday but appears to be in "good spirits," per NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe.
Dec. 4: Lawrence suffers an apparent leg injury after being stepped on by his teammate, Walker Little, in the fourth quarter of the Jaguars vs. Bengals game. He is helped off the field and into the locker room, where X-rays are taken of his injured ankle.
Lawrence is deemed "questionable" to return to the game, but he does not see the field again.
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