Major Injury Looms For Bucs’ Next Opponent

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The Bucs are riding the momentum of a three-game winning streak after defeating the Packers 34-20 on Sunday. A win over the division-leading Jaguars on Christmas Eve would open the floodgates with a four=game winning streak, putting Tampa Bay firmly in the playoff picture through multiple avenues. That opportunity could come a little bit easier for the Bucs based on an injury to to the Jaguars’ most important player, franchise quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Following Jacksonville’s 23-7 loss to the Ravens on Sunday Night Football, Lawrence was placed in concussion protocol. He’s been banged up this season, having suffered a bad ankle injury merely two weeks ago that forced him out of the second half in an overtime loss to the Bengals. #Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence suffered a concussion during Sunday night’s game vs. the Ravens and is now in concussion protocol. Significant one to monitor this week… pic.twitter.com/vzpGVuCdvZ — Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 18, 2023 Lawerence’s Availability Is A Huge Deal Against Bucs Some of those who have been watching the Jaguars closely mentioned that Lawrence hasn’t looked the same as he’s played through the injury. Putting him in concussion protocol following a tough game makes it even worse. Unfortunately, injuries are part of the game and this is a situation that both the Jaguars and Bucs will be monitoring throughout the week. If Lawrence is not available, that has a chance to greatly impact the outcome of the game. The Jaguars’ backup is veteran quarterback C.J. Beathard, who has been in the league since 2017. He has a career quarterback record of 2-10 and a completion percentage of 59.5% with 18 touchdowns to 14 interceptions. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport mentioned Monday morning that while all concussions are different and players react in different ways to the protocol, there’s a chance it’s Beathard who starts in Week 16 against the Bucs. Bucs head coach Todd Bowles and ILB Devin White – Photo by: USA Today The Bucs have faced all kinds of quarterbacks this season. They’ve gone against a couple of the best in the game in Jalen Hurts and Josh Allen. They battled against up-and-coming stars like Brock Purdy and rookie C.J. Stroud, and they’ve also had to face backup quarterbacks like Gardner Minshew as well as inexperienced rookies in Bryce Young and Will Levis. Tampa Bay hasn’t always had it easy when facing backup and/or unheralded quarterbacks under Todd Bowles. However, Bowles and his defense could have a chance to right some wrongs if Beathard, not Lawrence, is under center for the Jaguars on Christmas Eve. Lawrence is considered an upper-echelon quarterback in this league. To this point of his career, Lawrence has never gone up against the Bucs since entering the league as the first overall pick in 2021. The last time the Bucs and Jaguars met was on Dec. 1 during the 2019 season, when the Bucs defeated the Jaguars 28-11 in Jacksonville. Notably from that game, Bucs inside linebacker Devin White had 14-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown on a scoop and score. Whether White is able to play this Sunday, or ever again for the Bucs, is another storyline we’ll be paying attention to this week. The post Major Injury Looms For Bucs’ Next Opponent appeared first on Pewter Report.

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