HEAD COACH DOUG PEDERSON
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2024
(On if QB Trevor Lawrence is expected to play on Sunday vs. Houston) “Yeah, I mean, he’s
had a good week. He’s obviously done some really good things this week. I would say as of
right now, yes. He will play. We’ll get through today, Friday, Saturday, but he’s had a good
week.”
(On Lawrence being able to play’s effect on the team’s morale) “Yeah, I think anytime you
get your starting quarterback back out there, that gives you a little energy and all of that. So,
it’s a positive, yes.”
(On the biggest concern moving forward with Lawrence’s injury) “I mean, you don’t want
your quarterback to get hit anyway. But yeah, I mean, you’ve just got to be conscious of
moving around or too many designed runs or anything like that. But hey, look, if he’s cleared
to play, we go play. Can’t worry about getting hit or taking a shot or anything like that.”
(On if QB Mac Jones will be the second-string quarterback) “Yes.”
(On if the game plan will have to be altered to cater to Lawrence’s injury) “No, he’s full go.
Put a full game plan together. Basically, just things that he wants, he likes, good for our
offense. Let him go play. So, nothing’s held back.”
(On if he’s noticed an energy shift with the team coming back from the bye week) “Yeah, I
have. I have. I’ve seen the guys respond to the time away and come back a little focused
and energized and excited about what’s ahead, and just the opportunity to play this
weekend.”
(On the reason for signing OL Tyler Shatley to the practice squad) “I think all along, we felt
like we wanted to keep Tyler around. He’s meant a lot to this organization. Obviously, he’s
done some great things for us even in the last couple of years, having to play and step in
and fill a role. It’s just a way to get him back on the team and obviously gives us depth at the
offensive line. Somebody we’re familiar with gives us center-guard flex there. But also, an
opportunity that if this were to be his last year—I’m not putting words in his mouth—but it
gives him an opportunity to be a part of the organization that gave him a chance.”
(On if he would elevate Shatley to give him service time) “Only if we needed to.”
(On who will step up into WR Gabe Davis’s role) “Yeah, Parker [WR Parker Washington]
takes a big step forward, obviously. It’s a big role for him. [WR] Devin Duvernay increased
his role, but we’ve got [WR] Elijah Cooks, [WR] Joshua Cephus, [WR] Austin Trammel’s been
elevated a couple of times. Any of those guys can step up. [WR] Tim Jones can obviously
increase his role a little bit more offensively. But really Parker’s the guy that kind of steps
into that role.”
(On what he’s seen from Washington this season) “Yeah, I’ve seen a lot. His growth,
maturity, understanding what we are asking of him, what he can do within the system. He
and Trevor being on the same page. Just the growth. The growth that he’s made. This’ll be a
great opportunity, much like the end of last season where he stepped up big in Christian’s
[WR Christian Kirk] absence, he’s got to do it again. That’s part of being a backup. He
doesn’t, and I can understand this, think of himself as a backup, which is great. I can
understand that, but now he gets an opportunity to be the guy. So, a lot of confidence in
him and a lot of trust in him.”
(On if it’s been difficult to get RB Travis Etienne Jr., RB Tank Bigsby and the running backs
into rhythm coming off injuries) “Yeah, both guys are real healthy, which is great. But yeah,
there was some—the inconsistency of one guy up and one guy banged up and then kind of
flipped and just getting that continuity in that room. But it’s good to have both guys where
they are right now. It does give us a lift health-wise in that room and obviously can give us a
boost in the run game.”
(On if he’s concerned about CB Tyson Campbell’s shoulder for Sunday) “No.”
