Trevor Lawrence injury update: Jaguars QB says 'something was off' with shoulder after awkward landing

Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars were beaten soundly for the fourth consecutive time in a 30-12 loss to the Buccaneers.

And for the third time in those four games, Lawrence has sported a new injury coming out of the contest.

Lawrence suffered a shoulder injury after diving for a first down on a scramble in the second half. He stayed on the field for a bit before eventually exiting because of the malady, which was impacting his ability to throw.

Trevor Lawrence -

Fell on his right shoulder on a play late in the game and eventually left, seen here in pain after a throw.
Set to get imaging tomorrow.

Probably concern for AC sprain or labral if he landed directly onto his shoulder.
pic.twitter.com/hmYrtoYrHk

— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) December 25, 2023

Will Lawrence's injury cause him to miss any time, or will the Jaguars quarterback be able to continue his Ironman streak? Here's what to know about Lawrence's status as Jacksonville scraps for a potential playoff berth.

MORE: Updated NFL playoff picture for Week 16

Trevor Lawrence injury update 

Lawrence confirmed after the game that he had suffered the injury while scrambling for a first down. He detailed that he had landed hard on his throwing shoulder as a part of the play.

"When I landed, I knew something, something was off," Lawrence told reporters.

Coach Doug Pederson told reporters Tuesday that Lawrence was diagnosed with an AC joint sprain and was feeling better than he did Monday, but it was "too early to tell" if he would be able to play against the Panthers in Week 17. 

Lawrence has been questionable in recent weeks with a variety of injuries. He suffered a sprained ankle against the Bengals and a concussion against the Ravens but was able to return from each of those problems to play the following week.

If he can't do that again, the Jaguars will have to turn to their backup quarterback to get them out of a three-way tie in the AFC South standings.

MORE: Updated clinching scenarios for all NFL teams in Week 16

Who is the Jaguars backup quarterback?

That would be veteran C.J. Beathard, who finished the Jaguars' loss to the Buccaneers and completed 11 of 15 passes for 94 yards and a touchdown in his stead.

Beathard, 30, was a third-round pick by the 49ers in the 2017 NFL Draft out of Iowa. He has a career record of 2-10 as a starter and before Sunday's game had completed 59.5 percent of his career passes for 3,614 yards, 18 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

Beathard should be a solid fill-in for Lawrence if he needs to start. He won't be as mobile as the 2021 NFL Draft's No. 1 overall pick, but he should be able to distribute the ball effectively to Calvin Ridley, Evan Engram and Jacksonville's other receiving weapons.

MORE: What losses by Colts, Texans, Jaguars mean for AFC South race

Jaguars QB depth chart

But do the Jaguars have anyone else beyond Beathard? Indeed, they do, as they are three-deep at the position.

As mentioned, Beathard is the backup quarterback behind Lawrence, but Perry represents a developmental option at the position. Perry signed to Jacksonville's practice squad after Lawrence's concussion, but it is his second stint with the team.

Perry originally signed with the Jaguars as an undrafted free agent out of Brown. The 25-year-old has also had two stints with the Texans and quarterbacked the USFL's Michigan Panthers in the spring league's 2023 semifinal.

So, if Lawrence has to miss time, Perry will likely get a chance to be active for an NFL game for the first time of his career.