Jacksonville Jaguars get RB Chris Thompson back from reserve/COVID list
The Jacksonville Jaguars running back room gets reinforcements.
The NFL as a whole should be pleased that there aren’t new COVID-19 cases after registering no new positives on Friday according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Media. The Jacksonville Jaguars also got running back Chris Thompson back from the reserve/COVID-19 list after placing him there last Saturday.
While it may not be breaking news, it’s definitely encouraging for the ‘Jags’ to get Thompson back as they need all the help they can get ahead of their 2020 Week 9 rematch against the Houston Texans.
Even though Thompson doesn’t have a featured role with this Jacksonville team, he does provide depth to a running back room that has been performed surprisingly well even though they parted ways with former first-round pick Leonard Fournette before the season started.
Thompson hasn’t contributed much to the Jaguars running game this year and has carried the ball just six times for 17 yards. However, he has been a key cog in the team’s passing game and has hauled in 16 receptions for 111 yards and one touchdown.
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The Jacksonville Jaguars need to use their running backs more often.
Now that Thompson is back, the Jaguars must get their running backs more involved in the game plan. They currently rank 31st in the league in rushing attempts. While some of that has to do with having to catch up and falling behind in some games, the coaching staff has to do a better job of deploying his running backs.
Rookie James Robinson has racked up 107 carries for 481 yards and four touchdowns. Why is the seventh-leading rusher not getting more touches? That’s a question the coaching staff needs to ask themselves. The Illinois State standout has shown he’s too good to stay on the sidelines.
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Also, the Jaguars need to keep using wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. in the running game. This season, the rookie has had success when he has carried the ball. He has run the ball 11 times, racked up 54 yards, and is averaging 4.9 yards per carry. With Thompson back, the team has a surplus of weapons at their disposal.