Trevor Lawrence

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence has never missed a game. The third-year veteran has had some scares but has always shown up the next week for the start. The 2023 season has been “built different” as far as injuries are concerned, and for the first time in the last 49 Jaguars contests, Lawrence will not play.

Lawrence suffered an ankle injury that forced him to leave the game in Week 13. There was speculation he would miss the next week, but he played. In Week 16 he left the game with a shoulder injury, making way for backup C.J. Beathard. Over the course of the practice week, the shoulder injury was determined to be to severe to overcome. Beathard will get the start vs. the Carolina Panthers.

Unless you are competing for a Fantasy Championship in a deep league, or have zero other options, Beathard should remain ignored. While he has filled in admirably in a very limited capacity this season, he faces a Carolina Panthers pass defense that makes for terrible matchups for GOOD quarterbacks.

The road to the Super Bowl gets significantly tougher for the Jacksonville Jaguars, after two of their best players suffered significant injuries on Monday night. Christian Kirk broke free for a long reception on the first play of the game, but had to contort his body to make the catch and fell to the ground awkwardly, injuring himself and missing the entire rest of the game. Later in the fourth quarter, Trevor Lawrence got his ankle rolled up on by his own lineman, and ended up limping all the way to the locker room while missing the rest of the game.

Kirk is expected to undergo surgery that has a typical 8 week recovery period, and will be safe to drop in all redraft formats once they gather a second opinion in the coming days. Once Kirk got sidelined, rookie receiver Parker Washington assumed Kirk’s role and did an excellent job, catching 6 passes for 61 yards with an impressive touchdown. Washington deserves an add in all deep leagues and dynasty leagues after showcasing his talent, and fellow receiver Zay Jones is also expected to be leaned on more in the passing game without Kirk.

Lawrence’s ankle injury is expected to sideline him for a few games, but he has proven to be tough, and has successfully played through these types of injuries in the past. In the meantime, the offense gets a significant downgrade at Quarterback with C.J. Beathard. Beathard warrants an add in deeper superflex leagues, as he has a career average of over 15 ppg in games where he has played 70%+ of the snaps.