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Jaguars running back James Robinson 'expected' to return for Week 1 vs. Commanders

demetrius harvey, florida times-union
·3 min read
Jacksonville Jaguars running back James Robinson (25) was in uniform and doing light drills at Monday morning's training camp session. The Jacksonville Jaguars held their first day of training camp Monday, July 25, 2022 at the Episcopal High School Knight Campus practice fields on Atlantic Blvd. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union]
Jacksonville Jaguars running back James Robinson (25) was in uniform and doing light drills at Monday morning's training camp session. The Jacksonville Jaguars held their first day of training camp Monday, July 25, 2022 at the Episcopal High School Knight Campus practice fields on Atlantic Blvd. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union]

Jaguars running back James Robinson is expected to return to full speed in time for the team's Week 1 matchup against the Washington Commanders, head coach Doug Pederson said during his press conference Thursday morning. He will not be playing during the team's final two preseason games against the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Atlanta Falcons, however.

"It's the expectation, it's kind of the hope that he can be there at that point," Pederson said when asked if the expectation was for Robinson to make his return vs. the Commanders. "And listen, if not, it's okay. We're comfortable with the guys behind him and we'll go with what we have."

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Currently, the Jaguars have second-year player Travis Etienne, rookie Snoop Conner and veterans Ryquell Armstead and Mekhi Sagent behind Robinson on their 85-man roster.

It's been nearly eight months since Robinson tore his Achilles during the team's Week 16 matchup against the New York Jets.

Since then, he's worked to rehab, participating in only individual drills for the majority of training camp, now participating lightly in team drills, sporting an orange penny to indicate "no contact."

Though the expectation, or hope, as Pederson said, is that Robinson is able to play Week 1, he still would like to see him gradually increase his workload rather than going full throttle the minute he returns to full participation.

"I don't think you just go full steam ahead," Pederson said when asked about his normal workload when Robinson is cleared. "I think you gradually increase his reps. You don't want to stress his body, obviously. But at the same time, he needs to get enough work where he's possibly ready to go for Washington, if that's the case."

If Robinson is able to play against the Commanders, it will be exactly 320 days since he suffered a devastating leg injury. Still, though Pederson admits that the injury Robinson suffered is tricky, he's not necessarily surprised by how fast Robinson has been able to get back to doing what he does best.

"I've been around offensive linemen who've had the same injury that bounce back fast, then other guys, it takes a little time. But I think in (Robinson's) case, he's on track. you know, But again, we have to be smart as a staff, medically and as coaches to make sure that we don't have any setbacks at this time."

If Robinson is able to suit up for the Jaguars, it should be expected that he eventually move forward as the team's lead tailback. Since signing as an undrafted free agent in 2020, Robinson has accounted for  1,837 rushing yards on 404 attempts (4.5 yards per carry average) and 15 touchdowns.

Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on Twitter at @Demetrius82.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars RB James Robinson is 'expected' to play Week 1 vs. Commanders