Why isn't Trevor Lawrence playing today vs Titans? Exploring Jaguars QB's injury status

Week 13 was a pretty eventful one, especially given everything that went down when the Houston Texans travelled all the way to Jacksonville to take on Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars. Late in the first half, Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair's nasty hit on Lawrence, which attracted a lot of controversy.

Al-Shaair was ejected and was promptly hit with a three-game suspension, while Lawrence was ruled out for the rest of the year after exhibiting signs of a concussion following the illegal hit.

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Why isn't Trevor Lawrence playing today vs the Tennessee Titans?

While Lawrence suffered a concussion against the Texans, the Jaguars are expected to take the opportunity to put their franchise QB on the treatment table to ensure that he's fully fit for 2025.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that the NFL's second-highest-paid QB is expected to have surgery to repair an AC joint injury on his shoulder. Lawrence played through that injury last week.

In Trevor Lawrence's absence, Mac Jones will line up under center. The Jaguars are firmly in the running for a top-3 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and a loss to the Titans will only add to their hopes of having the first overall pick in April.

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Tom Brady called out over controversial take on Trevor Lawrence hit

On The Herd with Colin Cowhered, NFL icon Tom Brady said that it's unfair to put the onus on the defensive player to protect the offensive player in the case of Azeez Al-Shaair's hit on Lawrence.

“Nobody wants to see anybody get hurt, but it is also the reality of a very physical sport that we play. Defensive players have to be aggressive. That’s their nature. There’s an aspect where I think the quarterbacks need to take better care of themselves," Brady said.

However, on the Nightcap Show, Broncos legend and Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe sent Brady a pointed message over his take on the hit.

“Tom Brady is the wrong messenger. Does he not know the Brady Rule was instituted to protect him? It’s easy to say that ex post facto. Tom Brady said well, 'hell, I ain’t gotta take no more hits, punish the quarterback. Really, bro? Really?'"

Sharpe made the point that because Brady himself took advantage of the rule to protect QBs, he's in no position to pick sides.