Two AFC South quarterbacks with similar 8-6 records, and similar concussion injuries are looking unlikely to play in Week 16, leaving the door open for a third team to sneak right in.
The Jacksonville Jaguars franchise quarterback Trevor Lawrence has yet to practice this week after suffering a concussion in Sunday's loss to the Ravens. Lawrence has been marred by injuries recently, as he suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 13, yet has played through the pain.
Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said on Wednesday that Lawrence was "progressing well," but Lawrence would need to pass concussion protocol in order to play on Sunday.
Similarly, C.J. Stroud has been out of action for the Houston Texans after suffering a concussion in Week 14 against the Jets, and missed the first game of his career last week against the Broncos.
Stroud's rookie season has been impressive to say the least; he's tossed 20 touchdowns with just five picks, eclipsing over 3,600 yards in the air, all while leading a surprising Texans team to second place in the AFC South.
He is still absent from practice Thursday afternoon, leaving his status in doubt once again.
Texans head coach DeMarco Ryans stressed on Wednesday that Stroud's health remains a priority, and rushing him back is not an option, despite the crucial game this week.
"The most important thing is making sure C.J. is healthy, and when he's ready to go, he'll be ready to go," he said in a press conference.
The injuries could not have happened at worse times for teams sliding on opposite sides of the scale. After getting ahead to an 8-3 start, a pair of injuries to Lawrence has clearly effected his game, as the Florida team is now staring down a three-game losing streak.
Their losing streak has burst the AFC South conversation wide open, one that many wrote off as finished weeks ago.
With this in mind, a third AFC South team looms looking to take advantage of their divisional rivals injuries: the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts have slowly inched their way back into both the playoff and divisional picture, as the team continues to overcome injuries to win five of their last six games and now, as well, sit with a 8-6 record.
The Colts are in third in the AFC South due to their 2-2 divisional record, however, if Lawrence or Stroud are inactive, they hold a golden opportunity to steal the division lead with a game against the Atlanta Falcons. They may also have reinforcement, as running back Jonathan Taylor reportedly was a full participant this week at practice and "very well could be back," according to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport.
In a week that seems as crucial as ever for all three teams, backup quarterbacks C.J. Bethard and Case Keenum will look to keep their teams ahead of the other with matchups against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cleveland Browns.
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