Travis Etienne embraces opportunity to provide Deebo Samuel-like versatility

Heading into his second season in the NFL, running back Travis Etienne is preparing to be a versatile force for the Jacksonville Jaguars. After sitting on the sideline for his rookie year due to injury, Etienne has a new coach in Doug Pederson who plans to use him in a “wide back” Deebo Samuel-esque fashion in 2022.

After making his return to the practice field last week, the former first-rounder shared his thoughts on his role with CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones.

“If I’m in those positions throughout the game and we get good matchups, we’ll be able to exploit them,” Etienne said. “So it’s just me being able to do more and being valuable. Football is all about matchups so I mean, if I could be like Deebo Samuel, I would love that.

“Honestly, the game is a game of productivity. If you can produce, the team is always going to have a need for you. It’s just trying to be the best player I can be so I can be on the field at all times.”

Etienne went on to explain why the wide back role will benefit him even more than it does the 49ers receiver.

“Well see it’s different for him because he’s the receiver going to the backfield. I’m the running back going to receiver,” Etienne said. “For me that’s taking less pounding on my body. For him that’s putting my pounding on his. You’ve got to see it from his perspective. For me, it’s totally fine because I get to get outside in space and just work against DBs, smaller guys and I don’t have to run between the tackles. Who wouldn’t love that?”

Etienne misses rookie season with foot injury

The Jaguars selected Travis Etienne with the 25th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft last offseason, pairing him with his former Clemson Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Unfortunately, his rookie season came to an end before it even got underway when he suffered a Lisfranc foot injury, forcing him to miss the entire year.

If there was ever a season to miss, last season was a solid choice. The Jaguars were miserable, as a dismal season was continually marred by controversy involving disgraced coach Urban Meyer. It did, however, land the Jags another No. 1 overall draft pick.

Doug Pederson brings credibility and his Super Bowl ring to Jacksonville. He hopes to build a foundation to win another title with his first-rounders Etienne, Lawrence, and Travon Walker. Getting back on the field was the first step, now the former Clemson star will focus on getting back to himself.