After cutting second-year running back Mekhi Sargent on Tuesday afternoon, the Jacksonville Jaguars have effectively locked in on their starting rotation at the position heading into their Week 1 tilt against the Washington Commanders. Sargent had competed against rookie Snoop Conner in the preseason to serve as backup to James Robinson and Travis Etienne.
Following Sargent’s abrupt departure from Duval County after a moderately successful preseason, Jaguars’ general manager Trent Baalke spoke to the media about his confidence in the team’s course of action.
“It is a position we feel good about” He explained of the running backs groups on Tuesday. “We feel good about the health of both Travis [Etienne Jr.] and James. I feel really good about the development of Snoop. We had a good meeting this morning. He knows exactly what he needs to do. We feel good, but it is a position we are going to continue to look at and monitor and add to if necessary.”
Even with just a couple of spots on their depth chart left open as he fills out his roster, Baalke still has his eyes open. The final battle to back-up Robinson and Etienne may have another fold in it by the end of the week. The Jaguars cut fifth-string back Ryquell Armstead in one of their first moves of attrition this week, so of the five running backs they carried on the 80-man roster, only three have managed to make the final cut.
That could make for a stale competition for carries in the regular season, and may not be enough depth for Jacksonville to fully maximize their potential in the ground game in 2022. The rookie Conner is still coming into his own after just four games as a pro, and a veteran could provide more flexibility on Sundays as well as a mentoring presence to the young core of talent the Jaguars already have.
