Jaguars rookie will probably need to wait until 2025 to make an impact

The Jacksonville Jaguars drafted Keilan Robinson in 2024 because they thought he could have an impact in the return game. However, he probably won't be able to prove himself until next year even though he was just signed to the active roster.

Following the season-ending injury to wide receiver Gabe Davis, the Jags announced that they placed him on Injured Reserve. This allowed them to activate Robinson and designate him to return from IR.

A fifth-round pick in this year's draft, Robinson made a strong impression in the offseason but suffered a toe injury in training camp. He landed on IR to start the season and the team activated his 21-day window to return late in October.

Although the Texas native was healthy enough, the Jags had to make a roster move to open a spot for him. Head coach Doug Pederson said as much heading into the Week 11 matchup against the Detroit Lions. Placing Davis on IR freed up that spot.

Unfortunately, Robinson may need to wait until 2025 to showcase his returning skills. Devin Duvernay is the team's primary returner. Maybe the rookie will get a few touches here and there but won't get a big workload barring injury to Duvernay.

Perhaps if he had been healthy when Duvernay landed on IR, Robinson would've seen the field often. However, he was still unavailable. Another possibility would be to give him playing time at running, but at 5'8", he's not built to get a big workload.

Either way, it's hard to see Robinson getting a big role in the remainder of the season. That said, things could change in 2025.

Releasing Devin Duvernay would allow the Jaguars to kick the tires on Keilan Robinson

The Jaguars gave Devin Duvernay a two-year deal worth $8.5 million in free agency to replace Jamal Agnew. So far, he's been dependable but the team's brass could move on from him if they chose to next offseason.

Releasing Duvernay would create $2.85 million in space with $1.2 million in dead money. The Jags aren't hurting for extra cap room, but they could decide to move on from the two-time Pro Bowl nod if they think Robinson or even Parker Washington can handle return duties.

It's also worth noting that general manager Trent Baalke, the man who signed Duvernay, may not return in 2025. If that's the case, the regime that inherits the former Texans Longhorn may decide that releasing him may be the best course of action.

Of course, there's a scenario in which Duvernay stays, and even if he's released, Robinson must prove himself before working the way up his depth chart. For the time being, he can do nothing but put in the work and wait for his opportunity, which doesn't seem to be around the corner.

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