Jaguars to keep QB Trevor Lawrence out of Hall of Fame game

The Jacksonville Jaguars will keep quarterback Trevor Lawrence out of action on Thursday night when the team begins its preseason slate with the Hall of Fame game. Third-stringer Jake Luton will instead get the start against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Jaguars first-year head coach Doug Pederson announced the decision Tuesday and said Lawrence will be joined on the sideline by backup quarterback C.J. Beathard and running back Travis Etienne. While Beathard has a groin injury and Etienne is dealing with an illness, Lawrence will be sidelined out of an abundance of caution.

"Trevor's been getting a lot of great looks here in practice and we feel like he's in a good spot," Pederson said Tuesday.

The Raiders will likely follow suit with several starters sitting out Thursday night. During the 2021 Hall of Fame Game, the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers both sat their starting quarterbacks along with other veteran players.

Lawrence, 22, was the top pick of the 2021 NFL draft, but finished his rookie season with a league-leading 17 interceptions.