Trevor Lawrence starting for Jaguars with WR Christian Kirk inactive vs Titans

Published Jan. 7, 2024 12:15 p.m. ET

Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Quarterback Trevor Lawrence is starting Jacksonville's regular-season finale Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.

The Jaguars are keeping wide receiver Christian Kirk on the sideline as the Jaguars chase a second straight AFC South title.

Lawrence flew with the team to Nashville on Saturday after practicing in a limited capacity the past three days. He threw on the field before the Jaguars (9-7) issued their inactives list. Lawrence is active with Matt Barkley designated as the emergency third quarterback.

Kirk was activated from injured reserve after missing the past four games following groin surgery. With the decision to rest him one more game, the Jaguars missed having all 22 starters available for the first time since Week 11 against the Titans (5-11).

Tennessee already announced that veteran Ryan Tannehill would start his final game under his current contract with rookie Will Levis the Titans' emergency quarterback. The Titans also scratched right guard Daniel Brunskill (ankle) and LT Jaelyn Duncan (neck) leaving them without two starting offensive linemen.

Lawrence sprained the AC joint in his throwing shoulder while diving for a first down on a fourth-and-1 play at Tampa Bay two weeks ago. He was unable to throw for days and sat out last week against Carolina, the first game he’s missed since Jacksonville drafted him first overall in 2021.

C.J. Beathard made his first start in three years and helped the Jaguars end a four-game slide. But Lawrence made it clear this week that he was doing all he could to get back in the lineup because of the stakes.

The Jaguars must beat the Titans to win the division and clinch the AFC’s No. 4 seed along with the division title or miss the playoffs completely.

A victory means Jacksonville would be hosting Cleveland next weekend in the wild-card round.

Lawrence has thrown for 3,736 yards this season, with 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also has run for four scores and lost seven fumbles.

He has been banged up for most of the season, leaving games with a sprained left knee, a sprained right ankle, a concussion and most recently a sprained shoulder.

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl