Lawrence’s Health Cause for Concern?

Jaguars quarterbacks (3) C.J. Beathard, (16) Trevor Lawrence and (15) Gardner Minshew II during drills at Tuesday’s minicamp session. The Jacksonville Jaguars held their Tuesday morning session of the team’s mandatory minicamp at the practice fields outside TIAA Bank Field, June 15, 2021. Jki 061521 Jaguarsveteransminicamp 05

Anytime an injury pops up, there will be a cause for concern around any fanbase. For Jacksonville Jaguars fans, the concern rater may be extremely high right now.

The reason why for concern is because their number one draft pick from this year, quarterback Trevor Lawrence, has missed some time during practice because of reported tightness in his hamstring. While the injury seems to be the big concern for fans, for Lawrence, his concern is not being able to go through a full practice.

As he talked to reporters on Monday, the former Clemson Tiger said that the hamstring is doing well, but it’s a little bit frustrating that he can’t perform at 100% due to precautionary measures onset by team trainers.

“It’s feeling good. It’s been about a week. Just trying to work it back to full capacity,” he said. “It’s a little frustrating just not being able to go full speed. I’m feeling good and just trying to not have any more setbacks. So taking it slow. Got some good reps today. So start getting more and more each day. And just kinda work back into it. It’s doing great. Try to work it back.”

Lawrence is seen as the focal point for turning the Jaguars’ franchise around, after finishing last season with an abysmal 1-15 record. Thus, with the report of tightness in his hamstring, the news could cause some panic in the Sunshine State.

However, being limited in practice due to injury is nothing new for Lawrence. According to an article in the Orlando Sentinel, “Lawrence has rarely been full go since Jacksonville drafted him in April. He opened rookie minicamp in May on a pitch count and with teammates under strict orders not to touch his surgically repaired left shoulder. Lawrence had labrum surgery on his non-throwing shoulder in February, days after he worked out for NFL scouts and executives. He started throwing with no limitations in late May, but then he tweaked his hamstring about a week later. He returned after the tightness and threw two interceptions that were returned for touchdowns.”

With Monday being the opener of a quick two-day minicamp for Jacksonville, Lawrence can’t afford to miss too much more practice time. Understandably, the coaching staff is trying to be cautious with the issue, but for Lawrence, not getting a full practice in is frustrating.

However, even through the caution, Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer said that he would still play Lawrence. “You yank a hamstring now, you’re going to miss the early part of training camp,” Meyer said. “So we’re just being cautious. That’s the one muscle that . . . you guys have all seen it like I have. You pull a hamstring at this point, you’re going to miss all your summer conditioning. So we’re being somewhat conservative on it. But he could actually play a game if he had to.”

Lawrence, through the injuries, has drawn high praise from opposing scouts and NFL executives, with some reports even comparing him as a can’t-miss prospect like that of Andrew Luck when he was drafted in 2012. He’s even impressed some fellow teammates who play on the defensive side of the ball.

As cornerback Shaquill Griffin said, “I feel like the main thing I’ve been seeing is he’s very explosive, so when the ball is out, I’m out. When you see him throwing, even if I’m out on the sideline, I’m watching him throw to different receivers. It’s just the rotation of the ball. The time. The way he’s putting it away from everybody. It’s just insane to see that so early in a quarterback. You talk about coming into the league with such high hopes, and he’s proving that.”

Has Jacksonville found their quarterback of the future in Trevor Lawrence? Only time and health will tell.

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