JACKSONVILLE – Doug Pederson’s ready to move forward.
That's next, but the Jaguars' head coach on Wednesday first discussed the aftermath of a hit by Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair this past Sunday that concussed Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence and likely ended his season.
With Lawrence placed on injured reserve Wednesday afternoon, Pederson earlier in the day addressed Texans Head Coach DeMeco Ryans saying on Monday that the Jaguars "overreacted" during a melee following Shaair's hit.
"I was a little surprised," he said, with Jaguars rookie cornerback Jarrian Jones– who was ejected after the melee – adding of Ryans: "I don't want to talk about that guy right now."
Pederson, who on Wednesday said Jones will not be punished by the team for his role in Sunday's incident, opted against addressing the length of Al-Shaair's suspension.
"It's obviously not my place to speak necessarily on the punishment," Pederson said. "I'll leave that in the league's hands."
Al-Shaair on Tuesday received a three-game suspension without pay for hitting a sliding Lawrence in the helmet with his forearm in the second quarter of a 23-20 Texans victory at EverBank Stadium. Jaguars tight end Evan Engram leveled A l-Shaair, with a melee between the teams continuing around the Jaguars' sideline as trainers attended to a motionless Lawrence.
Ryans during his Monday availability said the Jaguars overreacted to the situation.
Heading to Tennessee ✈️ Jaguars practice for Week 14 and prepare for their matchup against the Titans. Swipe through practice photos below. 🏈
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars long snapper Tucker Addington (45) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars long snapper Tucker Addington (45) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Foyesade Oluokun (23) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars kicker Cam Little (39) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker (44) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown (30) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Tim Jones (15) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Antonio Johnson (26) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Andre Cisco (5) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown (30) and linebacker Ventrell Miller (51) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Luke Farrell (89), wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7), and wide receiver Tim Jones (15) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Devin Duvernay (12) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown (30) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) and quarterback Mac Jones (10) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Matthew Jackson (35) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback John Wolford (18) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (17) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive coordinator Press Taylor during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (11) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (17) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Elijah Cooks (14) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Tim Jones (15) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback John Wolford (18) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Joshua Cephus (80) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Austin Trammell (86) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Antonio Johnson (26) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Brandon Scherff (68) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange (85) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Daniel Thomas (20) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback C.J. Beathard (19) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars special teams coordinator Heath Farwell during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback John Wolford (18) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) and offensive lineman Luke Fortner (79) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars punter Matt Haack (36) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Antonio Johnson (26) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback C.J. Beathard (19) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Blake Hance (73) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 4, 2024.
"This was three days ago and we're on to Tennessee obviously and focused on that, but I do think that the reaction is a natural thing for any player, any team, to feel."
Offensive guard Brandon Scherff said he believed players "stood up for Trevor."
"I feel like every team would have done the same thing if their quarterback was hit like that," Scherff said. "We just tried to protect him."
Added Pederson, "Somehow, we need to try to get the play out of the game if possible. Obviously, I stand behind our guys for the reaction. It's a natural reaction. For all of us that have watched sporting events over our lifetimes, things like this happen. The team is going to respond.
"For our guys to respond to Trevor in that way, I support them. I say that to say this – that we've got to somehow eliminate these plays. These are plays that can change outcome to games."
Pederson also addressed observers saying the Jaguars should have done more to respond to the situation in the second half.
"I don't know what that means," Pederson said. "It's a hard, physical, tough game to play. You have to a tough, physical individual to play this sport. I don't care what position. We're not out to hurt anybody. We're not out to ruin careers. We're out to win a football game and play hard within the rules. That's our job and that's how we coach it and that's how we play it.
"Do we take it to the line? Yeah, we take it to the line. If they're asking or suggesting that we go after someone, we're not doing that. Flat out. We are not doing that. That's not how I coach. It's not how I'm going to coach these teams, these players.
"We're just going to go out and do our jobs, play hard, play fast, play physical within the rules."
Pederson said officials told both teams there would be no tolerance after the incident.
"It was basically like, 'Listen guys, we have to keep our heads in the second half and both sides did,''' Pederson said.
NOTABLE
- Cornerback Tyson Campbell (thigh) was among three Jaguars players missing practice Wednesday with the others being long-snapper Ross Matiscik (hamstring) and punter Logan Cooke (left knee). Scherff (knee/shoulder) and linebacker Yasir Abdullah (hamstring) practiced limited Wednesday.
