JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS QUARTERBACK TREVOR LAWRENCE TO REQUIRE SURGERY ON SHOULDER INJURY
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence will need surgery to repair an AC joint injury in his left shoulder, according to NFL.com. The injury occurred in Week 9 against the Philadelphia Eagles and has kept him out of several games. Lawrence was placed on season-ending injured reserve after suffering a late hit by Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, which sparked a brief melee between the two teams.
This is Lawrence’s second shoulder injury in as many years, having also sustained a shoulder injury in Week 16 last season. He will undergo his second major surgery, having previously had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder before being drafted first overall in 2021.
Al-Shaair has been suspended for three games without pay and has apologized for the hit, saying he didn’t intend to harm Lawrence. However, his apology was met with criticism from some, including Lawrence’s teammates, who responded with violence on the field.
NFL All-Pro defender Stephon Gilmore believes the hit was “tricky” and that Al-Shaair’s actions were influenced by the rivalry between the two teams. “You can’t expect guys to just lay down and let you hit ’em,” Gilmore said.
Lawrence’s fourth NFL season ended with a disappointing 2-10 start, and he will now miss the remainder of the season. The hit has sparked conversations about player safety, with some questioning the intentions of Al-Shaair and others criticizing the league for not doing enough to protect players.
The Jaguars’ head coach, Doug Pederson, defended his team’s response to the hit, saying they are not out to hurt anyone and are just trying to win games. The Texans’ head coach, DeMeco Ryans, suggested that Lawrence should share responsibility for the hit, saying that some quarterbacks slide late to try to get an extra yard.