A miserable season for the Jacksonville Jaguars got even worse early in their Week 16 a game against the New York Jets. And a tough season for running back James Robinson is now over.
Robinson suffered what appeared to be a foot injury in the first quarter on a reverse running play by receiver Tavon Austin. He came out of his stance and quickly fell without making contact. Robinson immediately grabbed his left foot.
Trainers quickly helped Robinson off the field and took him into the team’s sideline medical tent. Soon thereafter, he was placed on a cart and driven to the locker room. The team then revealed that Robinson suffered a torn Achilles and would miss the remainder of the 2021-22 season.
Worry for left Achilles tendon tear for #JamesRobinson @Jaguars. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/A5QazUVcCm
— David J. Chao – ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) December 26, 2021
James Robinson carted into locker room. Doesn’t look good. @ActionSportsJax @ESPN690Jax pic.twitter.com/wqF3kFRXiz
— Brent Martineau (@BrentASJax) December 26, 2021
Robinson has been one of the lone bright spots for the Jaguars this season, rushing for 767 yards on 164 carries with eight touchdowns. He also caught 31 passes for 222 yards.
The second-year back averaged 4.7 yards per carry, which made it puzzling that former head coach Urban Meyer benched Robinson twice during long stretches for fumbling. Meyer claimed it wasn’t his decision to sideline Robinson, saying the call was made by running backs coach Bernie Parmalee. The coach also attributed heel and knee injuries Robinson suffered earlier in the season to needing rest.
I asked Urban Meyer about that today and his response was: "That's a good question." Meyer said there's a RB rotation and RB coach Bernie Parmalee must have wanted to get Robinson a few more carries at that point. When I said that didn't seem wise Meyer said: "I'd agree." https://t.co/T7gTmEb3GO
— Michael DiRocco (@ESPNdirocco) December 6, 2021
Jaguars rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence eventually spoke out against Robinson being sidelined, telling reporters that one of the team’s best offensive players needed to be on the field.
The Robinson controversy was just one of many issues that developed during Meyer’s disastrous 10-game tenure as Jaguars head coach. But it was certainly indicative of the mixed messages he gave to coaches, players, and media, his failure to hold himself accountable, and his poor communication with the entire operation.
Robinson notched an impressive rookie campaign for the Jaguars last season, rushing for 1,070 yards and seven touchdowns on 240 carries (compiling 4.5 yards per attempt), adding 49 receptions for 344 yards.
BRAXTON BERRIOS TAKES IT 100 YARDS! #TakeFlight
📺: #JAXvsNYJ on CBS
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/kMkJcpDbA6— NFL (@NFL) December 26, 2021
The Jaguars eventually lost to the Jets, 26-21. Dare Ogunbowale, one of the two remaining active running backs on Jacksonville’s roster, took over for Robinson and rushed for 57 yards with a touchdown on 17 carries. (Backup Carlos Hyde was placed on injured reserve with a concussion and first-round pick Travis Etienne suffered a season-ending foot injury during the preseason.)
