Jaguars RB Travis Etienne day-to-day vs. Lions in Week 13

The Jacksonville Jaguars managed to beat the Baltimore Ravens in Week 12 even though running back Travis Etienne left with a foot injury. The coaching staff could’ve plugged him back into the game but opted not to as a cautionary measure. Etienne is day-to-day ahead of the Jags’ Week 13 matchup against the Detroit Lions but head coach Doug Pederson feels good about his chances of playing.

Pederson met with the local media Wednesday and said he feels good about Etienne potentially suiting up Sunday.

Etienne said he’ll play against the Lions but if he isn’t good to go or is limited, the Jaguars could lean on JaMycal Hasty and Darrell Henderson, who was claimed off of waivers last week but has yet to don the Black and Teal.

“I feel good,” Pederson said. “It’s gonna be day to day with him but I want to make sure he’s 100 percent before we stick him out there and he’ll go through some o the walkthrough portions of practice today”.

Pederson said that it will important to get Henderson acclimated ahead of the game.

“It’ll be important, spending a little extra time with coach [Bernie] Paramalee, get him ready to go if need be. He’s a veteran guy, he’s played and it’s just a matter of just understanding a little terminology. We won’t throw the whole thing at him but give him a series of plays that he’s comfortable with”, Pederson said.

Etienne tallied just three yards on two carries before leaving the game but he’s been one of the most productive running backs in the NFL this season and one of the Jaguars’ best offensive players. Even if he misses Sunday’s matchup versus the Lions, he’s on pace to log over 1,000 rushing yards. In 11 games, he’s toted the rock 133 times for 728 years with four touchdowns. Here’s Pederson’s whole exchange with the media:

The Jaguars could go with JaMycal Hasty if Travis Etienne isn’t ready

Henderson could make his debut with the Jaguars Sunday but JaMycal Hasty will probably get most of the workload if Etienne isn’t good to go. Hasty had 28 yards on 12 carries in Etienne’s absence but he also hauled in five receptions for 67 yards with one touchdown.

On the other hand, it would be interesting to see if Henderson gets playing time over rookie Snoop Conner, who has barely played this season but registered his first carry of the season against the Ravens.

Although Henderson is far from a Pro Bowl-caliber player, he was the Los Angeles Rams’ leading rusher this season before getting cut and has proven to be effective in a backfield committee. In 2021, he racked up 688 yards on 149 yards as a part of the Ram’s running back rotation and could get playing time if he can get a quick grasp of the Jaguars’ playbook in the upcoming days.

The Jaguars would surely like to have Etienne against Detriot but if he’s not 100 percent, they have will have solid options at their disposal.