In a surprising turn of events, the Jacksonville Jaguars will be without their star quarterback Trevor Lawrence for their upcoming game against the Carolina Panthers. Lawrence, who has started every game since being selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, has been dealing with multiple injuries in recent weeks. However, it was a sprained shoulder that ultimately kept him out of practice all week and led to his official ruling out on Friday.

This will be the first time in his career that Lawrence will be forced to watch from the sidelines, a situation that he is undoubtedly unfamiliar with. In his absence, backup quarterback C.J. Beathard will take over the starting duties, marking his first start in nearly three years. The pressure will be on Beathard to lead the struggling Jaguars to a victory and end their four-game losing streak.

The Jaguars are not only looking to snap their losing skid but also to maintain their position at the top of the AFC South. With a victory against the Panthers and losses by the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville can clinch the division title. It's a crucial game for the team, and they will need to rely on Beathard and the rest of the roster to step up in Lawrence's absence.

Lawrence's injury, a sprained AC joint, occurred during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He dove for a first down on a fourth-and-1 play in the third quarter and immediately felt the effects of the injury. After the game, Lawrence could barely lift his arm in the locker room, and it was clear that he was in significant pain. Prior to the injury, he had a subpar performance, throwing two interceptions and losing a fumble, which all led to touchdowns for the Buccaneers.

The young quarterback didn't hold back in expressing his frustration with the team's performance, stating, "it looks like we don't even practice." Lawrence has been dealing with a string of injuries in recent weeks, including a sprained ankle, a concussion, and now the sprained shoulder. Despite these setbacks, Lawrence remains determined to battle through the adversity and get back on the field as soon as possible.

Throughout his career, Lawrence has been known for his durability and ability to stay on the field. In high school, he never missed a start, and in college, he only missed two starts due to COVID-19 protocols. However, this season has been a different story, with Lawrence already missing significant playing time due to various injuries.

The Jaguars' struggles cannot be solely attributed to Lawrence's injuries, as the team has also been plagued by a porous offensive line and injuries to key receivers Christian Kirk and Zay Jones. Additionally, Lawrence's performance has been marred by turnovers, with eight in the past three games alone, bringing his season total to 19.

As the Jaguars prepare for their game against the Panthers, they will need to rally around Beathard and find a way to overcome the absence of their star quarterback. Lawrence's consecutive starts streak may have come to an end, but his determination to bounce back remains unwavering. The team will be hoping for a swift recovery for Lawrence as they navigate the final stretch of the season.