JACKSONVILLE – Senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton and team reporter Kainani Stevens offer quick thoughts on the Jaguars as they prepare to play the Tennessee Titans in a 2024 Week 14 game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.

John Oehser, Jaguars Senior Writer…

1. What's next? That's a difficult question for the Jaguars, but it's legitimate after they were eliminated from postseason contention with the Denver Broncos' victory over the Cleveland Browns Monday. Never mind the ridiculousness of a team expected to contend for the AFC South title being out of the playoffs with five games remaining, they also likely will be without quarterback Trevor Lawrence the rest of the season after he sustained a concussion in this past Sunday's loss to the Houston Texans. So, what's next? We're back to pride, unfortunately. And professionalism. And playing young players with an eye for the future. And veterans playing for their football futures – whether that future is here or elsewhere. The Jaguars have had enough rough seasons that those who follow the team closely know these storylines too well. It's just a shame to be following them so soon.
2. What's that? These in-season quick thoughts by rule typically focus on the future, with the previous Sunday's game usually at least four days in the rear view. But we'll take time this Thursday for a final examination of the hit by Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair Sunday that concussed Lawrence in the second quarter. First, the thought here is that the NFL came as close as possible to getting the punishment right on Tuesday by suspending Al-Shaair for three games without pay – a move that will also cost Al-Shaair more than $250,000. That's a big punishment by NFL standards, and also sends a message for a far stiffer penalty should Al-Shaair err similarly. As for comments by Texans Head Coach DeMeco Ryans on Monday that somehow Lawrence didn't slide early enough or that Jaguars players overreacted by collectively "confronting" Al-Shaair in the bench-clearing melee that follow, that was silliness – and I trust Ryans deep down knows that. One final thought on this issue. While much of the discussion after the incident has focused on whether Lawrence slid early enough, that has nothing to do with the issue. Al-Shaair hit Lawrence in the head with his forearm. That's a penalty worthy of suspension, slide or no slide.

Brian Sexton, Jaguars Senior Correspondent…

1. I would have made the suspension five games, not three. The NFL's suspension for Al-Shaair would have been enough if it was his first offense, but it wasn't. For all the lamentations and gnashing of teeth in Texas this week about what a good guy he is, his track record on the field doesn't support it. He deserved to sit the remainder of this season, which would have been four games, and I would tack on the 2025 regular-season opener. The forearm he threw, with intention, has no place in the game. If he threw that at Lawrence outside the stadium, he would be arrested for assault. We can argue about overprotecting quarterbacks and the need to eliminate the slide to be fair to defenders, but that isn't the issue. The issue is he led with his forearm in a vicious assault on Lawrence. The message must be sent that the forearm to the neck and the head will in no way be tolerated. I would have fined him two more games and more than a million dollars in salary. Now you'd have his and every other player's attention.
2. I'd like to see more of rookie defensive tackles Maason Smith and Jordan Jefferson. Smith has all the tools to be impactful – a really good player in the middle of the line – for years to come. He had his best performance since training camp last Sunday and showed why he was a second-round pick. He needs to be on the field a lot more over the final five games. The same is true of Jefferson, who has done some nice things – and flashed power and quickness – when he's been on the field. Both will be critical to the Jaguars' defense and it could still happen next season. They have everything they need to succeed except time on task and that should be the goal for Head Coach Doug Pederson when it comes to laying the groundwork for a strong bounce back next year. Get the young guys some valuable time on the field in December and January so you know what they have to offer and they know what it takes – and where they must focus in the offseason.

Kainani Stevens, Jaguars Team Reporter/Producer...

1. Done for the year. The Jaguars placed Lawrence on injured reserve Wednesday. That requires him to miss at least the next four games this season. With no chance at a playoff run, it's all but official that he has played his last game this season. In addition to the concussion sustained Sunday, he also is dealing with an injury to his non-throwing shoulder. This is the best-case scenario for Lawrence right now. Getting completely healthy for 2025 is in the best interest of the franchise.
2. Run it back. The Jaguars lost their fifth consecutive game Sunday, and also lost their running backs coach when Jerry Mack was formally introduced as the new head coach of Kennesaw State Monday. That leaves the running backs room in flux. Offensive assistant Tyler Tettleton will take over the interim duties, but Pederson emphasized it will very much be a collective effort in replacing Mack. Tettleton has some previous experience in the room as he served as the assistant running backs coach in 2022.