Trevor Lawrence injury update: Jaguars QB placed on IR after vicious hit from Azeez Al-Shaair

The Jacksonville Jaguars placed quarterback Trevor Lawrence on injured reserve after the brutal hit he received from Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair. The move means Lawrence will likely miss the rest of the 2024 season.

On Sunday, Lawrence suffered a concussion when he was hit in the forearm to the helmet by Al-Shaair while sliding at the end of the six-yard run in the second quarter. Al-Shaair was ejected from the game, and the NFL handed him a three-game suspension without pay.

After the game, Lawrence went to social media to give an update on his health. “Thank you to everyone who has reached out / been praying for me. I’m home and feeling better,” Lawrence wrote. “Means a lot, thank you all.”

Jaguars players reacted to Lawrence’s injury, expressing their anger towards Al-Shaair. “That was a dumb hit on his part,” Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen said. “Hate to see it. The first thing I thought was to go get him (Al-Shaair) because it’s a brotherhood. We love Trevor. We ride with him. To see that … it wasn’t a good play on his (Al-Shaair’s) part.”

Trevor Lawrence’s 2024 season was challenging

“It didn’t feel like a clean hit, so just go stick up for him,” Jaguars tight end Evan Engram said. “I saw him sliding and then I saw the hit. I just knew it was wrong, I knew it was a dirty play.”

Al-Shaair issued an apology to Lawrence. “To Trevor, I genuinely apologize to you for what ended up happening. Before the game, we spoke and I told you how it was great to see you back out on the field and wished you well. I would never want to see any player hurt because of a hit I put on them, especially one that’s deemed ‘late’ or ‘unnecessary.’ To the rest of his teammates, I can definitely understand you having his back and defending him in a situation like that.”

Lawrence will miss at least four games after being placed on IR. With the Jaguars having five games remaining in the regular season, it’s not likely Lawrence will not play again since Jacksonville is eliminated from playoff contention.

The 2024 season was challenging for Lawrence who missed two games last month because of a shoulder injury. In 10 games this year, the former Clemson Tigers star threw from 2,045 yards, 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions with an 85.2 passer rating.