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Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence will not be playing in the Week 10 game against the Minnesota Vikings. Reports surfaced earlier this week about his likely absence, and NFL.com's Ian Rapoport has now confirmed it. The situation looks more serious as Lawrence might be sidelined for the rest of the season due to a significant AC joint sprain in his left shoulder. Although the injury affects his non-throwing shoulder, it still hampers his ability to throw and perform basic functions.

Currently, the plan for Lawrence is to rest and undergo rehabilitation. However, there's a possibility that surgery could be necessary, which would definitively rule him out for the remainder of the 2024 season. Dianna Russini of The Athletic mentions that Lawrence, 25, is still exploring his options, including ending his season prematurely for a full recovery.

Missing Lawrence may not drastically affect the Jaguars' immediate outcomes, given their 2-7 record, which puts them out of playoff contention. Jacksonville is expected to take a careful approach with their star quarterback, who recently agreed to a lucrative five-year, $275 million extension in June. In Lawrence's absence, the team will turn to Mac Jones, an offseason trade acquisition from the New England Patriots.

Jones, who was a first-round pick and finished second in the Offensive Rookie of the Year voting in 2021, struggled in New England's evolving coaching system. The Patriots opted to start anew with the No. 3 overall pick in this year's draft and decided to trade Jones to Jacksonville for a sixth-round pick. Now 26, Jones secured the backup quarterback position after competing with C.J. Beathard during the summer. With Beathard recently re-signed from the Dolphins' taxi squad following Lawrence's injury, Jones will step up to take the helm.

Though Jones has thrown just nine passes this season, he approaches a significant opportunity. As he is in a contract year, his performance could determine his prospects for a starting role in 2025, providing a critical chance to reignite his NFL career.