The Jacksonville Jaguars released Leonard Fournette on Monday, leaving them with an inexperienced backfield to replace him.
Following the move to release Fournette, Terry Robiskie, Jacksonville's running backs coach, commented on the talent that remains in the team's backfield.
“It looks like a young room,” Robiskie said, via the team’s website. “It looks energetic. It looks like a bunch of fresh guys. They wanted an opportunity and I think they feel the opportunity is there. It’s a group of guys ready to go me the challenge, go prove themselves. Everybody in life wants an opportunity. I’ve got a group of guys that has a shot. They’ve got an opportunity right before them.”
Throughout the offseason, the Jaguars were persistent in their pursuit to find a trade partner for Fournette. But after getting no offers in return, the team elected to release the former first-round pick before the final year of his rookie contract.
While Fournette hopes to catch on with another team in 2020, the Jaguars are faced with replacing their 1,000-yard rusher with guys that haven't had massive workloads in the NFL. Upon Fournette's departure, Jacksonville is left with Ryquell Armstead, Devine Ozigbo, and Chris Thompson. Meanwhile, undrafted rookie James Robinson has a better chance to make the roster now.
It's expected that Thompson will handle the pass-catching duties while Armstead and Ozigbo handle the rest of the touches. Both Armstead and Ozigbo combined for 44 carries for only 135 yards in their rookie seasons in 2019.
With the sudden departure of Fournette, the Jaguars are going to be relying on a mostly unproven group of rushers. Nevertheless, Robiskie is confident that all of the team's running backs will seize the opportunity.
Follow Us
Subscribe