Jaguars running back Travis Etienne undergoes foot surgery

Jaguars’ rookie running back Travis Etienne will have foot surgery today on his Lisfranc injury, per the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. 

The fact that Etienne would need foot surgery was first reported by Rapoport early last week. Etienne suffered the injury in Week 2 of the preseason.

Lisfranc injuries vary in their severity and recovery time, but Rapoport estimated Etienne’s recovery period will be approximately four months. He will have ample time in the offseason to prepare for the 2022 season. 

The first-rounder was taken as the Jaguars second pick in last spring’s NFL Draft. They used the No. 1 overall pick on Etienne’s college teammate Trevor Lawrence. 

Etienne shocked the college football world when he elected to return to Clemson for his senior season. He finished his time with the Tigers as the ACC’s all-time leading rusher with 4,952 yards. He also had great hands, finishing his collegiate career with 1,155 receiving yards and eight touchdowns on 102 catches. He averaged 11.3 yards per reception for his career and averaged 12.3 yards per catch in 2020.

Who will fill the void at running back?

While the Jaguars offensive attack is sure to feature a heavy dose of Lawrence, they have a few options in the run game despite the loss of Etienne. The Jaguars have three running backs on their 53-man roster: James Robinson, Carlos Hyde and Dare Ogunbowale. 

Robinson rushed for 1,070 yards and seven touchdowns on 240 carries last season. The rookie out of Illinois State broke the record for most yards from scrimmage by a rookie undrafted free agent. Carlos Hyde enters his eighth year in the league and made notable contributions as a Seattle Seahawk last season with 81 carries for 356 yards and four scores.

According to the NFL Network’s John Oehser, Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer expressed concern about his depth at running back, and this could be a situation where Jacksonville looks to add a player.

Can the offensive line give Lawrence, RBs time? 

The Jaguars averaged just 94.9 rushing yards per game last season. That was 29th in the NFL. 

On Tuesday, Jacksonville waived two offensive lineman, Tre’Vour Wallace-Simms and KC McDermott, from last season. The likely starters currently available are Cam Robinson, Andrew Norwell, Brandon Linder and Jawaan Taylor. The final member of the five-man unit, projected starting right guard A.J. Cann, is currently on the reserve/COVID-19 list. The group did not play a preseason game together due to a couple of injuries, but they should be ready to go for Week 1 according to offensive line coach George Warhop.