Jaguars 5 biggest disappointments of the 2021 season

No. 2 Jaguars’ biggest disappointment in 2021 –  Travis Etienne, RB.

Wait a minute! How did Travis Etienne disappoint in his rookie year when he didn’t even play a single down in the regular season? That’s precisely the reason why. Drafted 25th overall in 2021, the former Clemson Tiger was expected to share the Jaguars’ backfield with James Robinson and form a formidable running back tandem.

During training camp, Etienne often displayed the burst that helped him play at a high level at the collegiate level. Also, he showcased the ability to run routes and be an asset in the passing game. So it was fair to say the Jags were excited to see him play in the regular season.

Alas, the Louisiana native never had the chance to show what he could do on the field, as he suffered a Lisfranc injury in the preseason that ended his first season in the NFL before it started. He met with the local media after the conclusion of the season and said that even though he could have played last year, doctors advised him to wait until 2022 to make a full recovery.

When the Jags drafted Etienne, they didn’t foresee he would get hurt. Instead, they surely envisioned him becoming a mainstay of the offense. They will now have to wait for him to contribute until next season. The fact that they drafted him 25th overall in 2021 doesn’t help matters. You can always draft a good running back in later rounds and if you choose one in the first, he’d better be in the same level as Adrian Peterson or LaDainian Tomlinson. The jury is still out but the early results aren’t great.