Trevor Lawrence injury: Jaguars QB to start against Browns despite high-ankle sprain

The Jacksonville Jaguars entered Monday night’s game hoping to move into the top spot in the AFC with a win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

However, their immediate concern has now shifted to the status of quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who left Monday night’s game with an ankle sprain.

Update Sunday: The Jaguars announced on Sunday that Lawrence will start against the Cleveland Browns:

On Friday ahead of Jacksonville’s pivotal game against the Browns, Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson indicated that the quarterback will be a “game-time decision” on Sunday:

On Tuesday, Pederson told the media that the quarterback has a high-ankle sprain, and that everything looks “stable.”

Midway through the fourth quarter on Monday night, with the game tied at 28, Lawrence and the Jacksonville offense were on the move. With the Jaguars facing a 3rd and 11 just outside the red zone, Lawrence took a shotgun snap and looked to throw to his left. That’s when it looks like left tackle Walker Little stepped on the quarterback’s left foot, which sent Lawrence crashing to the turf:

The quarterback’s reaction says it all, as Lawrence first pounds his right fist into the turf, before throwing his helmet aside.

Lawrence was then helped to the Jacksonville sideline, before being aided to the locker room:

Here is the video of Lawrence being helped to the locker room at EverBank Stadium:

The team listed Lawrence as questionable to return with an ankle injury. Tom Pelissero from NFL Network reported after the game that the preliminary diagnosis is an ankle sprain for Lawrence, and he will undergo an MRI Tuesday.

Hopefully the injury is not as severe as it looked.

On Jacksonville’s next possession — with the Bengals leading 31-28 as time wound down in the fourth quarter — C.J. Beathard was in the game for the Jaguars. The Jaguars went on to lose 34-31 in overtime.

This post will be updated as more information becomes available.