Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence is “going to be fine” after taking a huge hit from from Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair on Sunday, head coach Doug Pederson has said.
Lawrence was making his return from a left shoulder injury when he was flattened by the sickening head challenge from Al-Shaair shortly before half-time, sparking a brawl and leading to the 25-year-old being ruled out of the remainder of the Jaguars’ 23-20 defeat at the EverBank Stadium.
“It’s a play that really has no business being in our league,” said Pederson, who attempted to remain diplomatic in his appraisal by calling the incident “unfortunate”.
Using the brace on your arm, and launching to smash Trevor Lawrence’s face mask is crazy work
— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) December 1, 2024
“The officials did a great job of doing the best they could to get control of it. I did see him at half-time; he was moving around and everything, he’ll be fine.
“He’ll go into the protocol. I haven’t talked to him after the game yet. It’s a play that nobody wants to see. You see what happens after the fact and it just escalates.”
Thank you to everyone who has reached out / been praying for me. I’m home and feeling better. Means a lot, thank you all🙌🏼
— Trevor Lawrence (@Trevorlawrencee) December 2, 2024
Jaguars vs Texans: ‘Emotional game’
Pederson did not criticise Texans counterpart DeMeco Ryans over Lawrence’s ordeal and rued Jarrian Jones’ reaction in the fracas.
The Jaguars cornerback was ejected alongside Al-Shaair, while Lawrence, who was 4-for-10 with 41 passing yards and an interception, was eventually able to sit up before being carted off.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for coach Ryans and I know he doesn’t coach his team that way,” said Pederson. “I’m just glad that Trevor’s going to be fine.
What a classy gesture by CJ Stroud:
Stroud ended his press conference by sending prayers to Trevor Lawrence and his family 💯 pic.twitter.com/8BXgAqWF74
— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) December 2, 2024
“You see it at every level of football: when a quarterback gets hit at that magnitude, it just escalates. Jarrian, on our side, can’t do what he did, either.
“That’s unacceptable as well. I know the league will probably send out fines for both players and maybe some others.
“It’s an emotional football game as it is, but at the same time, you’ve got to be the bigger person. You’ve got to be the bigger man in situations like that. It’s just fortunate that nobody else was ejected from the game.
“I was excited for Trevor to get back out there, start and lead our football team this week. That was always the goal, to shoot for the Houston game and get him back out there.”
