JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Trevor Lawrence walked out of EverBank Stadium together with his spouse by his facet and a smile on his face, a optimistic signal for the oft-injured Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback.
Lawrence was carted off the sphere after taking a violent blow to the facemask from Houston linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, a success that prompted a sideline-clearing brawl and a secondary scuffle.
“It’s a play that actually has no enterprise being in our league,” Jaguars coach Doug Pederson mentioned following his team’s 23-20 loss Sunday.
Again within the beginning lineup after lacking two video games with a sprained left shoulder, Lawrence scrambled left on a second-and-7 play within the second quarter. He initiated a slide earlier than Al-Shaair raised his forearm and unleashed on the defenseless quarterback.
Lawrence clenched each fists after the hit — actions in keeping with what’s known as the “fencing response,” which will be widespread after a traumatic mind damage. He was on the bottom for a number of minutes as teammates got here to his protection and mobbed Al-Shaair, whose newest perceived low cost shot may end in a suspension.
“That was a dumb hit on his half,” Jaguars defensive finish Josh Hines-Allen mentioned. “Hate to see it. The very first thing I considered was to go get him as a result of it’s your brother, and that’s the quarterback.”
Added tight finish Evan Engram: “I noticed him sliding after which I noticed the hit, after which, actually, (my feelings) simply took over. I simply knew it was unsuitable. It was only a soiled play, and also you stick up to your guys.”
Lawrence ultimately was helped to his toes and loaded into the entrance seat of a cart to be taken off the sphere. He was not transported to a hospital for assessments. He was shortly dominated out with a concussion, although.
“Thanks to everybody who has reached out/been praying for me,” Lawrence posted on X hours after the sport. “I’m residence and feeling significantly better. Means quite a bit. Thanks all.”
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans known as it “unlucky.”
“That’s not what we’re teaching,” Ryans mentioned. “Wish to be sensible in every thing we do and never damage the staff, get a penalty there. Simply need to be smarter when a quarterback goes down.
“Simply unlucky play, not consultant of who Azeez is. Like, he’s a wise participant, actually nice chief for us.”
Mike Carlson through Getty Pictures
Al-Shaair was ejected for “an unlawful hit on the quarterback, pointless, to the neck and head space,” referee Land Clark mentioned in a pool report. Jaguars rookie cornerback Jarrian Jones additionally was ejected for throwing a punch through the melee.
As Al-Shaair was leaving the sphere, followers began screaming at him. Jaguars veteran guard Brandon Scherff joined in, prompting one other altercation with Al-Shaair. Texans teammate Will Anderson grabbed Al-Shaair and was escorting him off the sphere when a fan threw a water bottle and hit Anderson within the helmet. The fan was later ejected.
Officers and coaches acquired the groups underneath management earlier than play resumed. Al-Shaair was not within the locker room when it opened to reporters after the sport.
“I simply wish to say prayers to Trevor,” Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud mentioned. “I actually hope and pray he’s OK. Prayers to his household as nicely. However, yeah, nonetheless rocking with Azeez. I don’t suppose that was his intent, and I pray that Trevor is OK and his household is true there with him.”
Mac Jones changed Lawrence and rallied the Jaguars within the fourth quarter. Jones accomplished 20 of 32 passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns. Pederson declined to invest on Lawrence’s standing shifting ahead, particularly with the Jags now eradicated within the AFC South.
Lawrence, the highest choose within the 2021 draft, missed a sport for the primary time in his skilled profession in 2023 due to a sprained proper shoulder sustained in Week 16. He additionally missed important follow time due to different accidents: a sprained left knee in Week 6, a sprained proper ankle in Week 13 and a concussion in Week 15.
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“Trevor is a warrior,” Jones mentioned. “We’re all praying for him. We positively have his again. For him to play at present was unbelievable. He’s a troublesome dude. Actually wished to get the win for him. Clearly fell quick. However positively praying for him. I do know all of us have his again for certain.”
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
