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Michael DiRocco, ESPN Staff Writer
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence will not play against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday because of his sprained right AC joint, a shoulder injury he suffered in last week’s loss at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
It’s the first game Lawrence has missed since he was drafted first overall in 2021, snapping a streak of 49 consecutive starts that was tied with Patrick Mahomes for the second-longest active streak among quarterbacks.
C.J. Beathard will make his first start since the final game of the 2020 regular season with the San Francisco 49ers.
Lawrence didn’t practice at all this week because of the injury to his throwing shoulder, though he was out at Wednesday’s practice in shorts and a hoodie.
Sunday is a critical game for the Jaguars (8-7), who have lost four in a row and are tied atop the AFC South with the Texans and Colts. They could clinch the division title and accompanying playoff spot if they beat the Panthers (2-13) and the Texans and Colts both lose Sunday. A loss to the Panthers doesn’t eliminate them from the playoffs, however.
According to ESPN analytics, the Jaguars have an 80.3% chance of making the playoffs and a 68.8% chance of winning the division entering Sunday’s game.