Jaguars lose Trevor Lawrence to injury, fall to Texans

Field Level Media|published: Sun 1st December, 16:53 2024

Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (28), left, is tackled by Jacksonville Jaguars safety Antonio Johnson (26) and safety Darnell Savage (6), back, during the second quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]

Joe Mixon rushed for 101 yards and the decisive touchdown as Houston held on to beat Jacksonville 23-20 on Sunday in a game marred by an illegal hit that knocked Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence out with a concussion.

The AFC South-leading Texans improved to 8-5 entering their bye, but were hardly dominant over a Jacksonville squad that fell to 2-10 with its fifth consecutive loss.

Mixon's 7-yard touchdown run gave Houston a 13-6 lead with 8:04 left in the third. He became the third NFL player to rush for at least 100 yards and a touchdown in six road games in the same season.

Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud finished 22-for-34 passing for 241 yards and a touchdown and Nico Collins had eight catches for 119 yards.

Stroud connected with Dalton Schultz on a 22-yard scoring pass for a 23-6 lead with 12:11 left. Houston scored 17 consecutive points in the second half.

But Jaguars backup quarterback Mac Jones hit Parker Washington (six catches, 103 yards) for a 22-yard TD with 7:49 left. Jacksonville then pulled within 23-20 with 3:31 left on a 6-yard scoring reception by Brian Thomas Jr. and a two-point conversion toss to Washington.

On the next possession, Mixon put the game away by rushing for a pair of first downs.

The game was marred by an ugly incident with 4:06 left in the first half. Multiple skirmishes erupted after Houston linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair hammered Lawrence as he slid feet-first at the Houston 45. Al-Shaair finished a headfirst launch with a forearm shot near Lawrence's head and shoulder.

Lawrence -- who was returning from an injury to his non-throwing shoulder suffered in Week 9 -- immediately displayed the "fencing" hand motion associated with concussions but stood to leave the field on a cart after a few minutes.

Fights had broken out near medical personnel attending to Lawrence after Jacksonville tight end Evan Engram shoved Al-Shaair in the back. Al-Shaair was ejected along with the Jaguars' Jarrian Jones. Multiple penalties offset.

Lawrence was 4-for-10 for 41 yards and an interception.

Jones replaced Lawrence and continued the drive for a 33-yard Cam Little field goal, cutting Houston's lead to 6-3 just before halftime.

Jones finished 20-for-32 passing for 235 yards and two scores.

Houston's Ka‘imi Fairbairn was 3-for-3 on field goal attempts.

--Field Level Media

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