Chris Thompson’s injury will test Jacksonville Jaguars depth at RB
The Jacksonville Jaguars placed RB Chris Thompson on IR.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have announced they have placed running back Chris Thompson on the Injured Reserve list with a back injury, via Michael DiRocco of ESPN. The Florida State standout tallied seven carries for 20 yards and hauled in 20 receptions for 146 yards in eight games this season.
Originally a fifth-round pick by the Washington Football Team in 2013, the Jaguars signed Thompson to a one-year contract this offseason. The former Seminole has run the ball 250 times for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns. He has also caught 212 passes for 1,772 yards and ten touchdowns.
Although rookie running back James Robinson has carried the load for this Jacksonville team in 2020, the team is one injury away from having their depth at the position tested and Dare Ogunnbowale would likely be the next man up. Keep in mind that the four-year running back hasn’t had a carry this year and has hauled in just one pass for five yards.
The Jaguars need to address the running back position in the offseason.
There’s no doubt the Jaguars have a bell-cow running back in Robinson. However, they need to find a competent player that can effectively spell him from time to time and fill in for him in case he has to miss time. Ogunnbowale may or may not turn out to be that player, but the team’s brass needs to make sure they have insurance in case the Illinois State standout has to miss significant time.
Although it may be too late to give the position a facelift this year, the Jaguars need to consider using a draft selection on a prospect or signing a free agent in the offseason. Having another solid running back could also help the Jaguars improve the running game. They currently rank 26th in rushing yards with 900 and 24th in rushing touchdowns.
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In the meantime, the Jaguars will keep giving Robinson the ball. There’s no need for them to deviate from something that is currently working. Then again, having a one-two punch wouldn’t be a bad thing either and is something they need to consider in a not-too-distant future.