Offensive Adjustments Post-Injury Strategy for the Jacksonville Jaguars

When Jacksonville Jaguars franchise quarterback Trevor Lawrence suffered a mild MCL sprain in Week 18, the team’s offensive coaching staff faced an urgent challenge: adapt quickly to keep the offense competitive while protecting Lawrence’s recovery—and lay the groundwork for a smooth return once he was healthy. Offensive Adjustments Post-Injury Strategy for the Jacksonville Jaguars is a study in proactive planning, blending short-term tweaks to maximize backup QB C.J. Beathard’s strengths with long-term preparations to ensure Lawrence stepped back into a system optimized for success. For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, these adjustments weren’t just about surviving a brief injury—they were about strengthening the offense’s versatility, a quality that would prove critical in the playoffs.

Offensive Adjustments Post-Injury Strategy for the Jacksonville Jaguars began with a fundamental shift in playcalling to align with Beathard’s skill set. Unlike Lawrence, who excels at extending plays with his legs and delivering deep, accurate passes, Beathard is a quick-decision maker with a strong short-to-intermediate game. Offensive coordinator Press Taylor adjusted the game plan to emphasize quick passes—slants, outs, and screen plays—that allowed Beathard to get the ball out of his hands in under 2.5 seconds, reducing his exposure to pressure. The Jaguars also increased their use of “run-pass option” (RPO) plays, leveraging running back Travis Etienne Jr.’s speed to force defenses into tough choices. In Beathard’s two starts (Week 18 and the regular-season finale), the Jaguars averaged 31 rushing attempts per game (up from 24 with Lawrence) and completed 72% of their passes (compared to 67% with Lawrence), keeping the offense efficient even without their franchise QB. “The key was playing to C.J.’s strengths, not trying to make him Trevor,” Taylor said. “We simplified the playbook, focused on quick reads, and let our skill players do the work after the catch. That’s how you keep an offense moving when your starter is out.”

Offensive Adjustments Post-Injury Strategy for the Jacksonville Jaguars also involved optimizing the usage of the team’s wide receivers and tight ends to compensate for Beathard’s limited deep passing range. Taylor shifted Calvin Ridley—who had spent most of the season as a deep threat—to the slot, where he could use his quickness to create separation on short routes and turn small gains into big plays. Ridley thrived in the role, catching 18 passes for 210 yards and 2 touchdowns in Beathard’s starts, including a 45-yard screen pass that he turned into a touchdown against the Houston Texans. The Jaguars also increased tight end Evan Engram’s involvement in the passing game, targeting him on 25% of their pass attempts (up from 18% with Lawrence) to take advantage of his size and ability to win matchups against linebackers. “We didn’t just adjust for C.J.—we adjusted for our playmakers,” Taylor explained. “Calvin is just as dangerous in the slot as he is deep, and Evan is a mismatch nightmare over the middle. By shifting their roles, we kept defenses off balance and gave C.J. reliable targets.” The adjustments paid off: the Jaguars scored 27 and 24 points in Beathard’s starts, enough to secure the AFC South title and a first-round bye in the playoffs.

Offensive Adjustments Post-Injury Strategy for the Jacksonville Jaguars included a focus on offensive line protection, a critical element of keeping Beathard healthy and the offense on track. With Beathard less mobile than Lawrence, the Jaguars’ line needed to prevent sacks and pressure that could derail drives. Line coach Phil Rauscher made two key adjustments: he added an extra blocker (either a tight end or fullback) on 60% of passing plays (up from 40% with Lawrence) and simplified blocking assignments to reduce communication errors. The line responded by allowing just 2 sacks in Beathard’s two starts, down from an average of 2.5 sacks per game with Lawrence. For the Jacksonville Jaguars, this focus on protection wasn’t just about supporting Beathard—it was about building a more disciplined, consistent line that would benefit Lawrence when he returned. “A good offensive line should be able to adapt to any QB’s needs,” Rauscher said. “By adding extra blockers and simplifying assignments, we made ourselves more versatile. Now, when Trevor comes back, we can adjust on the fly—whether we need to protect him on deep passes or open up lanes for Travis on runs.”

Offensive Adjustments Post-Injury Strategy for the Jacksonville Jaguars also involved preparing Lawrence for his return by integrating elements of the “Beathard-era” game plan into his reps during rehab. While Lawrence was sidelined, Taylor and his staff sent him film of the quick-pass plays and RPOs that had worked with Beathard, encouraging him to practice the timing and reads during his individual drills. When Lawrence returned to full practice, the Jaguars blended the two styles—keeping the quick passes and RPOs that had proven effective, while reintroducing Lawrence’s deep passing game. The result was a more balanced offense: in Lawrence’s first practice back, he completed 15 of 18 passes, including 3 deep throws to Ridley and 4 quick passes to Engram. “We didn’t want Trevor to come back to a completely different offense,” Taylor said. “By integrating the adjustments we made with C.J., we gave him more tools to work with. Now, we can be a team that hits deep passes and executes quick, efficient drives—whatever the game calls for.” For the Jacksonville Jaguars, this blend of styles is a competitive advantage: it makes the offense harder to scout and allows them to adapt to different defenses, a key factor in playoff success.

Offensive Adjustments Post-Injury Strategy for the Jacksonville Jaguars concludes with a look at how these tweaks have strengthened the team’s playoff readiness. What began as a necessity—adjusting for an injured QB—has evolved into a more versatile, resilient offense that can thrive with multiple quarterbacks and adapt to any situation. Lawrence’s return doesn’t mean abandoning the adjustments; instead, it means merging his strengths with the lessons learned during his absence. The Jaguars now have a playbook that can shift from deep passes to quick strikes, from spread formations to heavy packages, keeping defenses guessing. “Injuries are never ideal, but they force you to grow,” head coach Doug Pederson said. “Our offensive adjustments post-injury didn’t just get us through a tough stretch—they made us a better team. Now, we have an offense that can handle anything the playoffs throw at us.” For the Jacksonville Jaguars, that versatility is the key to a Super Bowl run. With Lawrence healthy, a balanced game plan, and a team that’s learned to adapt, they’re not just hoping to win—they’re prepared to outsmart, outexecute, and outlast every opponent in their path.