JACKSONVILLE – The news around Trevor Lawrence remains positive.
Lawrence, the Jaguars' starting quarterback, was listed as questionable Friday on the team's final injury report of the week. Head Coach Doug Pederson said there remains a chance he will play Sunday.
"He's feeling good," Pederson said of Lawrence Friday as the AFC South-leading Jaguars (8-4) prepared to play the Cleveland Browns (7-5) at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio, Sunday at 1 p.m.
Lawrence, who has started 46 consecutive games since the Jaguars selected him No. 1 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, sustained what Pederson said was a high-ankle sprain this past Monday in an overtime loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Lawrence missed practice Wednesday before practicing limited Thursday and Friday, with Pederson saying on Friday he likely will be a game-time decision.
"We'll kind of base it on medical staff, how Trevor feels and if he can go or not," Pederson said. "It's more on Trevor how he feels and really talking to the docs and seeing medically if he's not in any harm."
Lawrence in 2022 sustained a toe injury in a Week 13 loss to the Detroit Lions, then started the following week in a victory over the Tennessee Titans – the first of the team's five consecutive victories to end the regular season. He sustained a knee injury this season in a Week 6 victory over Indianapolis, starting in a Week 7 Thursday victory over the New Orleans Saints four days later.
"We've kind of gone through this with him," Pederson said. "We did it last year with the toe and we've done it this year with the knee. To me, it just shows his toughness – physical toughness, mental toughness. I believe when your quarterback exudes that, I think it does send a message to the rest of your team in a good way.
"I'm still optimistic, obviously, for this weekend, but the fact that he's willing and able to put himself out there for his teammates and his team speaks volumes."
Pederson also said Ezra Cleveland could play left tackle Sunday with Walker Little ruled out Friday with a hamstring injury. Little started at left tackle Monday after starting left tackle Cam Robinson was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury the previous week.
Cleveland, acquired in a trade-deadline trade with the Minnesota Vikings, started at left guard against Cincinnati after backing up Little at left guard the previous three games.
"He seems to look fine, look comfortable," Pederson said of Cleveland.
Pederson said Cleveland – who never has played left tackle in an NFL game – has worked at left tackle in practice this week, with swing guard/center Tyler Shatley working at left guard. Blake Hance and Cole Van Lanen also have worked extensively along the offensive line this week, Pederson said.
Cleveland started 49 games for the Vikings at guard from 2020-2023, with Jaguars offensive line coach Phil Rauscher working as the Vikings' assistant offensive line coach in 2020 and offensive line coach in 2021.
"He's got a history with Phil," Pederson said of Cleveland. "When he was drafted, tackle was going to be his spot. They moved him inside when they needed guard help and he's played guard ever since. The versatility of the offensive line and the players that we have that can do that just benefits us in situations like this."
NOTABLE - INJURY UPDATES
- Little was among four Jaguars players ruled out on Friday's injury report with the others being cornerback Tre Herndon (concussion), tight end Brenton Strange (foot) and cornerback Christian Braswell (hamstring).
- The Jaguars opened Braswell's window to return from injured reserve this week.
- Lawrence was among six Jaguars players listed as questionable on the final injury report with the others being backup quarterback C.J. Beathard (shoulder), cornerback Tyson Campbell (quadricep), running back Travis Etienne Jr. (ribs), defensive lineman Foley Fatukasi (heel) and running back D'Ernest Johnson (knee). Jaguars safety Andre Cisco (shoulder) and wide receiver Zay Jones (knee) were not given injury statuses Friday and are expected to play Sunday.
