Doug Pederson: Jags’ offense limited by ailing QB Trevor Lawrence

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said one of the reasons the offense has struggled this season is because of quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s knee injury.

“One of the things that we haven’t been able to do because of Trevor’s condition with his knee is just move him a little bit more,” Pederson told reporters Wednesday. “Sometimes, you can create things off of that. He’s been limited that way.

“Play-action pass can be an opportunity to shoot the ball down the field on first or second down, the screen game you’ve seen hit a little bit. Those are ways to create some explosives. Sometimes, just drop back and throw it. Just run past and use your speed on the perimeter. Try to take advantage of that while you’re seeing teams do it in different ways.”

Lawrence, 24, hasn’t missed a game since injuring his knee in a Week 6 win over the Indianapolis Colts, and hasn’t appeared on the Jaguars’ injury report since Week 9.

In last Sunday’s 34-3 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, the Jaguars totaled just 221 yards and allowed the 49ers to sack Lawrence five times.

Lawrence, who has completed 67.3 percent of his passes for 2,120 yards and nine touchdowns in nine games, also has six interceptions after throwing just eight last season.

“It’s feeling better,” Lawrence said this week of his knee. “It’s finally getting to where I’m not going to really think about it as much and won’t be as much as an issue. I feel like I’m starting to move pretty fluid and it’s not bothering when I do much. Obviously, it’s still a little bit here or there, it’ll get aggravated.

“But that’s a good question, I’m starting to feel comfortable and I’m happy about that with the progress I’ve made. We’ve been able to protect it the last few weeks and I’m excited to hopefully finally get going and just play normal, move around, all that stuff.”

The AFC South-leading Jaguars (6-3) host the Tennessee Titans (3-6) on Sunday.

–Field Level Media