Many projected Trevor Lawrence to have a breakout 2023 campaign, but the third-year signal-caller has struggled to really take off this season, averaging just 239.8 passing yards per game with a 7:3 TD-to-INT ratio. Now, he's dealing with a knee injury and in danger of missing Jacksonville's Week 7 Thursday Night Football matchup in New Orleans.
Even with Lawrence's relative struggles, plenty of fantasy owners will be checking for the latest updates before locking in start 'em, sit 'em decisions involving Lawrence and his pass-catchers.
We'll continue to update this article with news on Lawrence until the official active/inactive report comes out on Thursday around 6:45 p.m. ET.
MORE THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL:
DK lineup | FD lineup | Props | ATS pick | Start-sit | Williams update
Is Trevor Lawrence playing Thursday night Week 7?
UPDATE (10/18): Lawrence is officially "questionable" for Thursday night's game, and he's said he's "optimistic" he'll be able to play.
UPDATE (10/19): ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Thursday morning that Lawrence "could easily be a game-time decision."
UPDATE (10/19): ESPN's Ed Werder reported Thursday afternoon that Jaguars' coach Doug Pederson "seems to believe" Lawrence will start on Thursday night, pending a pre-game workout.
UPDATE: Lawrence is officially ACTIVE.
Lawrence (knee) was an estimated "DNP" on Monday, but he turned in a limited session in Tuesday's actual practice. Even more encouraging than that was Jaguars backup QB C.J. Beathard saying Lawrence is "very likely" to start against New Orleans on Thursday night.
WEEK 7 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
If Lawrence is indeed active, he is likely the best option his fantasy owners have. Jacksonville won't take any unnecessary chances with its franchise QB, so you can feel reasonably confident that Lawrence is healthy enough to perform. He's yet to pay off his lofty draft position -- and a matchup against a Saints' defense allowing the seventh-fewest fantasy points per game to QBs doesn't figure to help -- but he's still the type of QB who can put up big numbers against virtually anyone. Jacksonville continues to boast one of the most talented groups of pass-catchers in the NFL, so a three-TD day is never out of the realm of possibility.
WEEK 7 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
If Lawrence is held out, Beathard will start for Jacksonville. He would certainly have some upside with Calvin Ridley, Christian Kirk, Evan Engram, and possibly Zay Jones (knee) at his disposal, but we wouldn't advise streaming him. With six teams on bye, Ridley, Kirk, and Engram all remain starting options despite having lower ceilings.
Who should you pick up in fantasy if Trevor Lawrence is out Week 7?
Beathard wouldn't be the best choice to replace Lawrence if you need a backup. Sam Howell (@ Giants), Derek Carr (vs. Jaguars), and Josh Dobbs (@ Seahawks) are your best, widely available options in 12-team leagues, and in shallower leagues, you might be able to grab Jordan Love (@ Broncos) or Matthew Stafford (vs. Steelers).
