Big Boost: Jacksonville Jaguars are optimistic about the potential return of two key men.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are optimistic about the potential return of quarterback Trevor Lawrence and wide receiver Christian Kirk for their decisive regular-season finale against the Tennessee Titans. The matchup holds significant implications for the AFC South standings.
Lawrence, the No. 1 pick in the 2021 draft, missed the Jaguars’ recent dominant 26-0 victory over the Carolina Panthers due to a sprained throwing shoulder, ending a streak of 51 consecutive starts.

Despite being ruled out last week, Lawrence is showing positive signs of progress. Coach Doug Pederson mentioned that Lawrence is “definitely improving,” and his availability for the upcoming game will depend on his limitations during practice on Wednesday.

Additionally, the Jaguars are optimistic about opening the 21-day practice window for wide receiver Christian Kirk, who has been sidelined for the past four games following groin surgery. Kirk, a reliable target for Lawrence, sustained the injury during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on December 4. Pederson expressed confidence in Kirk’s recovery, stating that he is in a position to potentially contribute to the team’s efforts against the Titans.

The potential return of Kirk comes at a crucial time for Jacksonville, especially with the loss of backup receiver and return specialist Jamal Agnew, who is out for the rest of the season with a broken bone in his lower left leg. The Jaguars are also hopeful about the return of Zay Jones, who missed the past two games due to knee and hamstring issues.

The Jaguars, with a record of 9-7, are in a win-and-in scenario against the Titans (5-11). A victory in the upcoming game would secure the AFC South title for Jacksonville for the second consecutive season and earn them the No. 4 seed in the AFC playoffs. However, a loss would require the Houston-Indianapolis winner to secure the division, leaving Jacksonville reliant on external outcomes to make the playoffs.
After breaking a four-game losing streak with a convincing win over the Panthers, Pederson emphasized the importance of the team’s confidence and momentum heading into the critical showdown against the Titans. The Jaguars aim to capitalize on the positive momentum and secure their place in the postseason.