Jacksonville Jaguars star quarterback Trevor Lawrence is working tirelessly to recover from a high ankle sprain he suffered in Monday night's game against the Cincinnati Bengals. According to The Athletic's Jeff Howe, Lawrence has been undergoing rehab "around the clock" in the hopes of returning to the field as soon as possible. The Jaguars have not ruled out the possibility of Lawrence playing in their upcoming game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson refrained from providing a specific timeframe for Lawrence's return during a virtual media availability. He assured reporters that the injury did not require major surgery and stated that discussions with medical professionals had not yet taken place. Pederson expressed his belief that surgery was currently unnecessary due to the location of the injury in Lawrence's ankle.

The incident occurred late in the game when Jaguars left tackle Walker Little accidentally stepped on Lawrence's ankle, causing it to bend awkwardly. Lawrence fell to the ground in pain before being assisted by a teammate and a Bengals player. However, he experienced further discomfort and had to be helped off the field by medical staff. In frustration, Lawrence threw his helmet before being seen in the locker room wearing a boot and using crutches.

Despite the injury, Lawrence had an impressive performance, completing 22 of 29 passes for 258 yards and two touchdowns. Backup quarterback C.J. Beathard took over for Lawrence after the injury, leading the team to a 34-31 overtime loss against the Bengals.

Coach Pederson provided an update on Lawrence's progress, stating that everything appeared stable and looked good. He added that they would continue monitoring Lawrence's condition over the next few days to assess his readiness for future games.

Lawrence has proven to be durable throughout his career, not missing a single game since being drafted first overall in 2021. He overcame a toe injury last year and also battled a knee injury earlier this season. The question now arises whether Lawrence will be able to overcome this ankle injury or if it will be the first time he misses a game.

The Jaguars, currently leading the AFC South with an 8-4 record, are preparing for their upcoming matchup against the Cleveland Browns. Meanwhile, fans expressed their frustration on social media with the team's handling of Lawrence's injury. Some questioned why the stadium, EverBank Stadium, which features in-stadium pools, did not have a medical cart readily available. Speculation arose that Lawrence may have refused the use of a cart, but this has not been confirmed.

Lawrence's injury occurred during a crucial moment in the game, with the score tied at 28 in the fourth quarter. His absence from the field had a significant impact on the outcome, as the Jaguars were unable to secure a victory. Lawrence's backup, C.J. Beathard, commended the quarterback's resilience and expressed disappointment for his teammate's suffering.

As Lawrence undergoes further testing to determine the severity of the injury and the expected recovery time, the Jaguars remain focused on maintaining their position atop the AFC South. With playoffs approaching, each game becomes increasingly important, and Lawrence's absence would be a significant blow to the team.