Trevor Lawrence injury update: Will Jaguars have starting quarterback in Week 13?

Game status: Trevor Lawrence is ACTIVE or Week 13.

Game day update: Trevor Lawrence is planning on playing on Sunday against Houston, but he won’t be 100%, per Ian Rapoport.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have not had the 2024 season that many expected coming into the year. While they were initially seen as a potential contender, the Jaguars are 2-9 and look to be in prime position for a top-5 pick instead of a playoff spot. Over the past two weeks, the Jaguars have been without starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence as he deals with a shoulder injury. However, Lawrence could be back in the lineup in Week 13 against the Texans.

According to NFL Media, Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence is officially listed as questionable heading into Sunday’s AFC South matchup against the Texans. Lawrence has been managing a shoulder injury over the past two weeks. There was some speculation that Lawrence may shut himself down and sit out the rest of the year, but that may no longer be the case. Per Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson, “I would say that as of right now, yes, he will play. We get through today, Friday, Saturday, but he’s had a good week.”

Lawrence will be someone to monitor on Sunday morning as the Jaguars take on the Texans in the earlier slate of games at 1 p.m. ET.

The Jaguars offense has not been fantasy football friendly for the most part this season. That was especially the case over the past two weeks with Mac Jones under center at quarterback.

Even with Lawrence back in the lineup, it’s hard to predict just how effective he will be. If his shoulder is not 100 percent, but good enough to play, he may not be as effective as he was before the injury.

Still, there will be opportunity for the Jaguars to have some fantasy relevance against a Texans defense that has struggled as of late. This season, the Texans defense is allowing the fourth most fantasy points per game to wide receivers. Last week, they gave up five receptions for 93 yards to Calvin Ridley and the week before CeeDee Lamb had eight receptions for 93 yards as well.

In Weeks 1-10 with Lawrence, rookie Brian Thomas Jr. was the WR12 in PPR formats. With Lawrence back in the lineup, it’s possible that Thomas could get back to similar production against a defense that has struggled defending wide receivers recently.

With Lawrence in the lineup, Thomas could certainly be used as a potential flex play with tight end Evan Engram also having some fantasy upside. However, Lawrence is likely not worth a start at quarterback in his return to the lineup. Lawrence was the QB13 in Weeks 1-10 and there will still be serious questions about how his shoulder will hold up.