Possibly the most notable position battle for the Jacksonville Jaguars is for the back-up running back role behind Leonard Fournette. Based on Fournette’s first two injury-riddled seasons, the role projects to see plenty of playing time in 2019 as well. But who will have the first opportunity? Hard to say.
Surprisingly though, veteran third-down specialist Benny Cunningham has already been released. Meanwhile, injuries have plagued the remaining trio of running backs in contention for the back-up role this off-season. Maybe one will elevate his stature on Thursday. Then again, maybe not. Whatever the outcome, the carries will be there for the back-up role among the Jacksonville Jaguars running backs. Who wants it more?
The Looming Battle for Touches Among the Jacksonville Jaguars Running Backs
The Rookie: 5’ 11”, 220 pounds
Many believe the fifth-round selection from Temple, Ryquell Armstead will eventually take over the back-up role. However, the rookie has been absent from practice the last couple of weeks due to spending time in the team’s concussion protocol. Earlier this week, Armstead was released and is participating fully in practice in preparation for Thursday’s game in Miami.
Armstead fits the role of power back that the Jaguars front office covets. He seeks contact and can lay the wood to a defender. This type of power was witnessed first-hand by rookie linebacker Quincy Williams after a collision with Armstead in training camp. The biggest hurdle for Armstead is learning to adapt to offensive coordinator John DeFilippo’s offensive system, one that frequently targets running backs. At Temple, Armstead only tallied 29 receptions so this is a new challenge. If he is able to grasp the pass-catching role and get up to speed with picking up the blitz, he will have a significant role moving forward.
Blue Clues: 6’2″, 225 pounds
Alfred Blue has the most NFL experience among the running back group, including Fournette. Blue joins the Jaguars after five seasons with the division-rival Houston Texans. Five seasons spent primarily on special teams and as the back-up to a variety of Texans’ running backs. Yes, a back-up. A place on a team’s depth chart that Blue is all too familiar with, dating back to his collegiate days as a back-up at LSU.
Sure, he started a dozen games or so for Houston, but Blue is the prototypical back-up. Which is not necessarily a bad thing. Right? He can be trusted to fill in from time to time. He is able to do several things well, including pass protection and receiving out of the backfield. However, he will not make you say “WOW” either.
Unfortunately for Blue, he will not be on the field come Thursday because of an ankle injury that has him showcasing a walking boot. With his absence, the competition for back-up running back escalates. If Blue is able to shake off the ankle injury, he appears to be in the driver’s seat for the first crack as Fournette’s back-up. For now.
Rawls Rebirth? 5’ 9”, 215 pounds
If Blue brings the experience, Thomas Rawls brings a small highlight reel to the Jaguars running backs room. As a reserve in Seattle, Rawls waited for his time to shine his rookie season. He did not disappoint through several games as a rookie for the Seahawks. Rawls set several franchise highs for a rookie and his career looked promising until an injury late in 2015. Unfortunately for Rawls, that was when the downward spiral began.
The next three years for Rawls were littered with injuries and inconsistency. The early accolades for Rawls soon turned into negativity. Rawls began to receive criticism for his lack of pass protection, along with dwindling yards per carry. Competition from younger backs made finding the field a premium for Rawls in Seattle.
After a few brief stops in New York and Cincinnati, Rawls finds himself in Jacksonville. Perhaps he has a chance to rejuvenate his career, an opportunity to relive the magic of 2015. So far his performance in the preseason paints a different story, especially last week when Rawls failed to capitalize on seven carries against the Eagles. However the preseason is not finished, and he has a chance to catch the eye of running backs coach Terry Robiskie and head coach Doug Marrone.
