Jags’ Trevor Lawrence may miss pivotal matchup vs. rising Bucs

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jacksonville Jaguars are headed in opposite directions despite finding themselves tied atop their respective divisions.

Winners of three in a row, the Buccaneers (7-7) look to continue their ascent and hand the Jaguars (8-6) a fourth straight loss on Sunday when the Sunshine State clubs meet in Tampa, Fla.

“Momentum is coming with winning,” Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said. “The urgency is there. We know we have to win out to get to the playoffs; that’s been our mindset since we played Carolina (a 21-18 win on Dec. 3). That’s our mindset this week, as well, against a good Jacksonville team.”

Baker Mayfield was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week after throwing for 381 yards and four touchdowns in Tampa Bay’s 34-20 road victory over the Green Bay Packers last Sunday.

Mayfield has embraced his role as a team leader despite being in his first season with the club.

“For me, it’s not like I’m going out of my way to do it,” Mayfield said. “That’s just honestly how I’ve always been. Be involved with the team, be one of the guys. (As a) quarterback, you get a lot of the press, but you’ve got to get down and dirty with the guys. You’ve got to understand that you’re in the process with them. Everything needs to feel involved.”

Running back Rachaad White has found the end zone in three straight games, with the last two touchdowns coming in the passing game. White ranks second among running backs in receiving yards (469) and fifth in catches (50).

Mike Evans reeled in his sixth touchdown reception in his last six contests last Sunday, boosting his team-leading total to 11 on the season.

Fellow Bucs wideout Chris Godwin notched season highs in catches (10) and receiving yards (155) last week, however he was limited in during Wednesday’s walk-through due to a knee injury. Defensive tackle Vita Vea (toe) and defensive tackle William Gholston (knee, ankle) also were limited in the session.

While the Bucs’ winning ways have kept them tied with the New Orleans Saints atop the NFC South, the Jaguars’ slump has allowed the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans to pull even in the AFC South.

“It’s figuring out how to win the game right now,” Jacksonville head coach Doug Pederson said. “It’s just mentality, a mindset, that hey, ‘Sometimes enough’s enough and you just have to take pride in the opportunities you get.'”

Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s availability for Sunday’s game is in question after he was placed in concussion protocol following last Sunday’s 23-7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

Lawrence has started every game since he was selected with the top overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. C.J. Beathard would find himself under center should Lawrence’s streak of 48 consecutive starts come to a halt.

“To me it’s the same. I’m taking a lot more reps at practice and stuff, but I’m preparing the same way,” Beathard said. “You gotta prepare as if you’re gonna be going and then, hopefully, (Lawrence) clears concussion protocol by the end of this week for sure.”

Beathard, who owns a 2-12 career record, made his last start in 2020 as a member of the San Francisco 49ers.

Jacksonville wideout Zay Jones (knee, hamstring) joined Lawrence in failing to participate in practice on Wednesday.

“Zay is getting better. His strength is good but (he’s) still week-to-week,” Pederson said.

Jones and fellow wideout Calvin Ridley each had five catches versus the Ravens and running back Travis Etienne added four for the fourth straight game.

–Field Level Media