When it comes to Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne, can you really say he’s entering his second season in the NFL? Technically, yes. The former Clemson Tiger was selected 25th overall in last year’s draft but he didn’t play a single down in his rookie year after suffering a Lisfranc injury in the preseason.
The Jags could sure Etienne’s big-play skills last year but then again, it’s unlikely that he would have made much of a difference in the 32nd ranked offseason. In fact, he jokingly told the media that if he needed to miss a year it was last one due to the presence Urban Meyer, who is nowadays a persona non grata in Jacksonville. There might have been some truth to the running back’s word but he must now focus on this upcoming football season.
Etienne’s recovery is coming along nicely and should have no restrictions in camp. He will likely get a heavy workload with fellow running back James Robinson coming off a torn Achilles he suffered late in the 2021 season.
With Robinson out for an unknown amount of time, Etienne will most likely enter training camp (and the regular season) as the starting running back with either Ryquell Armstead or Snoop Conner handling backup duties. If E-T-N fully recovers, he will give the Jags’ running game a boost but fans should temper expectations. On the other hand, he’s an intriguing player ahead of the regular season. With that in mind, here are three realistic expectations for Travis Etienne in 2022.
1. Jaguars RB Travis Etienne will total 1,100 yards from scrimmage.
As the Jaguars’ de facto RB1, Etienne will get plenty of carries in 2022. Last season, Urban Meyer was questioned several times for giving James Robinson a light workload for most of the season despite the fact that he was one of the best players on the team. The former Redbird got more than 15 rushes until Week 4, when he had 18 and he never got 20 or more in a game.
Meyer is now gone and Etienne should get a robust workload with Robinson still recovering. He might not get 20 carries per game but he will cross the mark several times. On top of that, he will be part of the passing game in will be used as a receiver. Ryquell Armstead and Snoop Conner could tot the rock a few games every week but Etienne will be the workhorse.
Even when Robinson comes back, Etienne will see the field a lot. Depending on how he fares early in the season, the coaching staff might choose to give him the majority of the carries but even if Robinson’s usage goes up, Etienne will still get the ball often. Reaching 1,000 rushing yards might not be feasible but he could get close to it. 800 is a realistic number and one he can reach without much trouble. Add 300 receiving yards and the Jaguars will do just fine while Robinson continues his rehab.
2. Jaguars RB Travis Etienne won’t miss a single game in 2022.
Every injury in the NFL, whether it’s a torn meniscus or an ACL tear, is serious there isn’t one that is better or worse than the rest. In particular, Lisfranc injuries can be tough the deal with, as it forces players to miss around 11 games while recovering. Travis Etienne suffered his in August and hasn’t had any setbacks, so he should be a full-go for training camp.
Before last year, Etienne hasn’t suffered any major injuries in his football career, so that may have played a role in him bouncing back without trouble. Other running backs have also suffered Lisfranc injuries and seen their performance decline considerably the following season. However, most of them were in the twilight of their playing days, so that must be taken into consideration as well.
Maurice Jones-Drew, Cedric Benson, Ronnie Brown, and wide receiver Santonio Holmes, all suffered Lisfranc injuries late in their career and saw a dip in production afterward. On the other hand, running backs Brian Westbrook and Le’Veon Bell had the same injury and rebounded without much hassle. This is to say that Etienne’s Lisfranc injury might not be an issue in 2022.
Without a serious injury history, it’s hard not to see Etienne suiting up for every single game this upcoming season. He might not start all of them once James Robinson is back in the fold but he’s a good bet to appear in all 17 games.
3. Don’t expect many accolades for Jaguars RB Travis Etienne.
Most players covet wins more than individual accolades but they won’t complain if they earn a few. Stepping on the football field is one of Travis Etienne’s main goals heading into the 2022 season but once it happens, he’ll set his eyes on helping the Jags rack up a few victories and he will amass a few individual stats along the way.
Most of the top running backs in the league reside in the AFC, so it’s hard to envision Etienne becoming a top 10. It simply isn’t with established names such as Joe Mixon, Derrick Henry, Nick Chubb, Austin Ekeler, and Jonathan Taylor. Similarly, a Pro Bowl berth, let alone a First-Team All-Pro designation, is probably not an option.
The truth is that there aren’t many honors Etienne can earn in 2022. If he has no trouble bouncing back from the Lisfranc injury and performs well, he could be a darkhorse candidate for Comeback Player of the Year but that might be a long shot because Titans running back Derrick Henry and Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas could also compete for the award and they could have an easier time getting it due to name recognition.
The Jaguars are surely glad they will get Travis Etienne back. Making sure he stays healthy is their top priority ahead of the 2022 season. The awards can wait for a later time.