Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence is back after missing two games with a left shoulder injury.
Head coach Doug Pederson confirmed Friday that Lawrence will be the QB1 Sunday when Jacksonville welcomes the Houston Texans. Lawrence cleared tests this week with practice workouts that began Monday following the team’s bye last week.
Lawrence described his physical status as “feeling better” but earlier in the week said surgery remains an option at some point.
The Jaguars (2-9) host the AFC South-leading Texans (7-5) at EverBank Stadium in a rematch of Jacksonville’s Week 4 loss at Houston.
“That’s what I want. I want to be back on the field playing with my teammates and that’s the plan,” Lawrence said Wednesday.
Lawrence, 25, said a shoulder operation is “definitely something I’m considering and not off the table at all.”
“It has been pretty a difficult thing to gauge what’s the best path forward,” he said. “Hopefully, I’m able to get back out there this week or as soon as possible, then it’s going to be just every week kind of evaluating it, seeing where it’s at. Up until this point, I’ve been doing everything I can to avoid that. I want to be back out there with my guys and finish the season. That’s my goal. That’s what I want to do. Beyond that, I don’t know.”
Lawrence was hurt in the Jaguars’ Week 9 loss at Philadelphia. Mac Jones led the offense in his absence.
Jacksonville returned from a bye last week and Lawrence was able to practice on Monday, but said he felt the clear benefit of rest during the downtime.
He has completed 168 of 274 passes for 2,004 yards and 11 touchdowns with six interceptions this season.
