JACKSONVILLE – The score seemed decidedly secondary.

The Jaguars lost to the Houston Texans, 23-20, at EverBank Stadium Sunday. It was the Jaguars' fifth consecutive loss and eliminated them – officially – from AFC South contention, but little seemed to matter on this day but quarterback Trevor Lawrence's health.

Lawrence, starting after missing two games with a left – non-throwing – shoulder injury, left Sunday's game with a concussion after a reprehensible hit by Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair in the second quarter.

Al-Shaair launched into a sliding Lawrence's helmet with a forearm, with Lawrence motionless afterward while a very ugly – though understandable – melee ensued.

Good on Jaguars tight end Evan Engram for being the first to level Al-Shaair following the hit. Good on other teammates for wanting to do the same. This was the sort of hit the NFL has been trying to legislate from the game.

Lawrence was sitting when he was carted from the field, and Head Coach Doug Pederson said Lawrence will be "fine" – though obviously in concussion protocol.

The game is dangerous enough without this type of play. I'm not sure I've seen a hit quite so blatant or unnecessary in three decades covering the NFL. Sickening stuff.

Let's get to it …

James from Destin

John, that was a nasty hit on Lawrence. When will Lawrence realize he's not a superhero and quit putting himself in possible injuries like this? I know he was going to slide but now he's out for an undetermined amount of time. He has to limit these risks. The reason pocket quarterbacks last longer.

Lawrence slid. Al-Shaair saw him sliding. I'm an old-school guy and prefer quarterbacks play mostly from the pocket for the reasons you cite, but they must leave the pocket sometimes and Lawrence on Sunday did what he was supposed to do protect himself. If a player wants to take a vicious shot outside the rules, a player will find a way to take a vicious shot outside the rules.

Brandon from Arkansas

I know that the offense has had its issues this year, but if defense – mainly the secondary – isn't a priority in the draft and/ or free agency, that will be a big mistake. The defense has played well at times but overall they are in need of better secondary players.

Fair.

Roger from Houston

Will Al-Shaair be fined for his cheap hit on Lawrence? I think the fine should begin with 10 percent of Lawrence's guaranteed money.

I can't imagine a scenario in which Al-Shaair isn't fined. It seems from this view the bigger question is whether he will be suspended and for how long.

Al from Fruit Cove

Mr. O, please explain the logic in extending Walker Little. Can we agree that Jaguars General Manager Trent Baalke had to get approval from Owner Shad Khan for this deal? Why would Shad agree, which would mean either saddling a new general manager and coach with a long-term contract they had no input on, or (heaven forbid) Shad is planning on keeping his general manager despite his long run of failed personnel moves? And do you think Little has earned the lock as the team's long-term left tackle?

These are all good questions. I don't have great answers. The Jaguars signed left tackle Walker Little to a reported three-year contract extension worth $45 million with $26 guaranteed, a move announced Sunday morning. It seems a reasonable deal considering the length and the player. My understanding is the thought here is 2025 isn't a great draft for offensive tackles and it may not be a great free agency class. If the Jaguars didn't re-sign Little, who was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent following the season, it could have been difficult addressing the position. I don't know that it automatically says anything about the future in terms of front office and coaching. That's not a great answer. It's the answer for now.

Jeff from Atlantic Beach, FL

Lots of chatter about what the Walker Little deal means for Baalke's future. But it seems pretty simple to me, Baalke is doing his job until he's told otherwise.

That's a good interpretation.

Dave from Jacksonville

Do you think Shad will announce Trent Baalke's big contract extension now, or wait until the offseason? Exciting!! You know what they say, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"

One sort of sarcastically fer so probably not fer Baalke.

Haney from Little Elm, TX

They had all offseason to create an identity on offense and they can't. They have all season to create an identity and they can't. They have a bye week to game plan for a division opponent and they come out flat as usual. Who is actually preparing this team week to week because not one person is being held accountable for this team's ineptitude.?

This was the much-ballyhooed, oft-vindictive, sometimes-sheepish First Email of the Game. It was a little general as First Emails of the Game go, and I guess it meant the Jaguars didn't play well on the game's first drive. That happens. It happens to this team way too often. It doesn't mean they were flat. It just means they weren't good early. Again.

Matt from Jacksonville

Ugh, pajama uniforms. Play-calling still predictable. No wonder we haven't had an opening-drive touchdown since forever.

It's always play-calling in the NFL. Except when it's uniforms. But except for when it's uniforms it's always play-calling in the NFL.

Joe from Duval

Do you think you'll live to see the Jaguars go to the Super Bowl? Not win, but just get there.

Yes.

Wade from Westside

Krimma Season!

Krimma!!!