Amid a challenging season, the Jacksonville Jaguars have received promising news as quarterback Trevor Lawrence and tight end Evan Engram successfully underwent shoulder surgeries. The team’s confidence is buoyed by the positive outcomes of these operations, signaling a hopeful return to form next season.
Trevor Lawrence, the Jacksonville Jaguars’ quarterback, underwent surgery earlier this week, and the team remains optimistic about his return for the upcoming season. Head coach Doug Pederson expressed satisfaction with the surgeries of both Lawrence and tight end Evan Engram, describing the procedures as successful. Pederson stated, “Everything was positive in both players’ cases, and just now looking forward to recovery time.”
Lawrence had been grappling with a concussion from a Week 13 game against the Texans, which sidelined him. A fierce hit by Houston’s linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair led to Lawrence’s head impacting the ground violently, placing him in the concussion protocol until last Sunday. Furthermore, Lawrence dealt with an AC joint injury in his left shoulder, causing him to miss crucial games against the Vikings and Lions. As the Jaguars faced a disappointing season without playoff prospects, the decision was made to let him undergo surgery.
Evan Engram also faced physical setbacks, suffering a labrum injury during a victory over Tennessee, which resulted in his placement on injured reserve as of December 14. Coach Pederson remains hopeful about the recovery timeline, though he refrained from setting a precise return date. He indicated, “It’s hard to put a time frame on it. You don’t want to rush it. But we’ll see how they … I guess the thing is to, in both cases, they’re not long-term, lengthy-type surgeries recovery time. So, at some point this spring they’ll be ready to go.”
The Jaguars, struggling with a 3-11 record, have been plagued with injuries through the season. Key players such as receivers Christian Kirk and Gabe Davis, along with guard Cooper Hodges, have been sidelined. The series of injuries have greatly affected the team’s performance, contrary to initial high hopes set by owner Shad Khan, who anticipated playoff contention. Despite these setbacks, there is a sense of cautious optimism about the team’s readiness for next season as they prepare for the NFL draft.
As the Jacksonville Jaguars navigate the remainder of this difficult season, the successful surgeries of Trevor Lawrence and Evan Engram offer a glimmer of hope. While the road to recovery requires patience and careful planning, the team’s focus remains on ensuring that these key players are fit and ready for the next season. The outcome of these procedures could significantly impact the Jaguars’ efforts to rebuild and improve their standing in the NFL.
Source: News4jax
