Jaguars’ Lawrence takes mixed approach

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Trevor Lawrence is trying to be cautious and aggressive with his sprained throwing shoulder, hoping the approach could help him return to the starting lineup for the Jacksonville Jaguars’ pivotal regular-season finale at the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.

Lawrence practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday but did not throw during the portion of practice open to reporters. He missed all of last week while resting his right shoulder and sat out Sunday’s 26-0 win against Carolina, ending a streak of 51 consecutive starts for the first overall pick in the 2021 draft.

“It’s feeling better,” Lawrence said Wednesday. “Obviously missing last week’s game is a little slower than I would’ve liked it to be progressing, but it actually feels pretty decent. It’s getting better every day. Just trying to be cautious but also aggressive in how I’m trying to treat it so I can get back as quick as possible but also be smart.”

The Jaguars (9-7) need a victory against the Titans to secure the AFC South for the second consecutive season. They could still make the playoffs with a loss, but they would need Pittsburgh and Denver to lose to eke into the postseason as the AFC’s No. 7 seed.

Rams to sit Stafford, Kupp, others

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Matthew Stafford, Aaron Donald, Kyren Williams, Cooper Kupp and linebacker Ernest Jones will not play in the playoffbound Los Angeles Rams’ regular-season finale at San Francisco, coach Sean McVay said Wednesday.

Carson Wentz will make his Rams debut on Sunday, McVay said. Los Angeles also will be without Williams, the NFL’s second-leading rusher; Kupp, the Super Bowl 56 MVP; Donald, the seven-time All-Pro defensive lineman; and Jones, the Rams’ leading tackler.

The Rams (9-7) have clinched a playoff spot, and earning a slightly higher seeding clearly means little to McVay with most of the NFC playoff picture still in flux behind No. 1 San Francisco.

The 49ers are sitting starting quarterback Brock Purdy and running back Christian McCaffrey. Sam Darnold will start in Purdy’s place.

– AP’s Greg Beacham

Lamar Jackson to be held out

OWINGS MILLS, Md. – Lamar Jackson will not play in Baltimore’s regularseason finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers this weekend, coach John Harbaugh said Wednesday. Tyler Huntley will start for the Ravens, who have already clinched the top seed in the AFC. Josh Johnson will be Huntley’s backup.

– AP’s Noah Trister

Flacco, other Browns to sit

BEREA, Ohio – Joe Flacco is ending the season where he started it – off to the side. Flacco won’t start the regularseason finale at Cincinnati – along with some other regulars – so they’ll be rested for the playoffs, and the Cleveland Browns will go with Jeff Driskel, their franchise-record fifth starting quarterback this season.

Coach Kevin Stefanski said the Browns (11-5) have “earned the opportunity” to sit players after clinching a wildcard berth last weekend and the No. 5 seed in the AFC. – AP’s Tom Withers