Jaguars Get Boost That May Hurt Steelers Playoff Chances

The Jaguars will get receiver Christian Kirk back after they activate him from injured reserve. Kirk is returning after getting core muscle surgery when he tore his adductor muscle. He has missed over a month now and is a game-time decision, but it seems like he will play. All of the boosts that the Jaguars get hurt the Steelers playoff hopes.

Trevor Lawrence’s shoulder injury is looming over the entire game. The Titans will go with Ryan Tannehill, who is taking over for the injured Will Levis. But Lawrence, with a sprained throwing shoulder, is a true game-time decision.

He started throwing but has yet to throw in a ramped-up fashion that he will in a game. As such, head coach Doug Pederson did not commit to Lawrence playing, instead assuming that he will be a critical game-time decision. If he can not play, C.J. Beathard will start.

“No, if he’s good to go, he’s good to go,” Pederson said. “I don’t want to say cautious, but he’ll just have to know that he’ll try to do anything he can to protect himself. At the same time, if he’s out there, he’s rolling and we’ll go play.”

The Steelers’ playoff chances hinge largely on this game. They have five potential paths to the playoffs, and two of them involve a Jaguars loss. The Steelers get in with a win and a Jacksonville loss or tie. They also advance with a Jacksonville loss, a Denver Broncos win over the Las Vegas Raiders, and the Colts and Texans ending in any result other than tie.