Trevor Lawrence knocked out of game with head injury after cheap shot tackle

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Trevor Lawrence’s return was a brief one.

The franchise quarterback started for the first time after a two-game absence but took a brutal shot while attempting to slide and left the game on a cart late in the second quarter of Sunday’s game against Houston. Lawrence was immediately ruled out with a head injury.

The Texans lead the Jaguars 6-3 in what has been a chippy and lethargic showing by both teams. Mac Jones is on in relief of Lawrence.

Lawrence was returning after missing losses to the Vikings and Lions with an injury to his left shoulder. The offense had struggled early against Houston but Lawrence had just ripped off a 6-yard run to the Texans side of the field when another injury struck.

Lawrence pulled up to slide but Azeez Al-Shaair went low and drilled a sliding Lawrence. The quarterback’s arms appeared to freeze up as his head slammed into the grass. Jaguars played immediately swarmed Al-Shaair and a melee ensued between the teams that took several minutes to cool down. Al-Shaair was ejected as well as Jacksonville’s Jarrian Jones.